Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil on Friday (May 8, 2026) said “if one wants to live in India, one must sing ‘Vande Mataram’ as it hold the same importance as the national anthem.”

He was reacting to AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi’s statement that ‘Vande Mataram’ cannot be considered equal to the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’.

Mr. Vij, talking to media persons in Ambala, said “Vande Mataram is our national song and holds the same importance as the national anthem. Singing and respecting it is just as essential as respecting Jana Gana Mana If one wants to live in India, one must sing Vande Mataram.”

On the upcoming municipal corporation elections across three Haryana districts, Mr. Vij expressed confidence that the BJP would sweep all three seats. “There is a BJP wave across the country and wherever elections are taking place, the BJP is winning. In Bengal, hooliganism had entrenched itself deeply and people had ruled for 15 years on the basis of intimidation, but the BJP wave uprooted their camps, therefore, these smaller opponents stand no chance,” he said,

He said that the BJP wave, which started from Bengal and Assam, is now moving toward Punjab, where Assembly election is due in 2027 and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is already feeling the heat. “This is the reason why Mann is making baseless allegations against the BJP, as the BJP is set to form the government in Punjab,” he added.