West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that anyone who wants to stay in India must say "Vande Mataram" [1].
The statement arrives amid an ongoing political dispute regarding the use of the national slogan within West Bengal. The remark ties national identity and residency to the recitation of the phrase, escalating tensions in a region already grappling with ideological friction.
Adhikari spoke June 2, 2026 [1], during a visit to the Hooghly district. The comments were made while he was visiting the Tarakeshwar temple [1]. While the visit was framed as a government function, Adhikari noted the personal nature of the stop.
"The visit to Tarakeshwar was primarily an administrative engagement, but as a devotee, I could not miss seeking the darshan of Baba Mahadev," Adhikari said [2].
Despite the administrative purpose of the trip, the chief minister used the platform to address the controversy surrounding the slogan. He said in Hindi, "देश में रहना है तो वंदे मातरम बोलना होगा," which translates to "If you want to live in the country, you will have to say Vande Mataram" [1].
The slogan "Vande Mataram" has long been a symbol of Indian nationalism, but its mandatory invocation has frequently sparked debate over religious freedom, and civic duty. Adhikari's assertion links the act of reciting the slogan directly to the right or desire to remain within the country's borders [1].
This rhetoric follows a pattern of heightened political discourse in the state. The chief minister's remarks in Hooghly serve as a definitive stance on the issue, positioning the slogan not merely as a patriotic gesture, but as a requirement for those residing in India [1].
“"देश में रहना है तो वंदे मातरम बोलना होगा"”
This statement signals a hardening of the state government's position on national identity and cultural loyalty. By framing the recitation of 'Vande Mataram' as a prerequisite for residency, the Chief Minister is moving the debate from a matter of voluntary patriotism to one of perceived national obligation, likely deepening the political divide in West Bengal.
