Mumbai | Two days after his controversial “No Khan will ever be mayor of Mumbai” remark following Zohran Mamdani’s historic win as New York City mayor, Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam has again stirred debate this time by inviting Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi to join a mass recital of the national song Vande Mataram.
The invitation, part of the Maharashtra government’s 150th Anniversary celebrations of Vande Mataram, was publicly extended by Satam on Thursday evening. In his post, he urged Azmi to “stand with the nation and respect our motherland,” calling the event a “Test of patriotism beyond politics.”
However, Abu Azmi promptly declined the invitation, stating that some verses of Vande Mataram are religious in nature and reciting them would conflict with his Islamic beliefs. “Muslims cannot recite it fully because certain lines amount to worship, and our faith prohibits that,” Azmi explained.
Political Context
Satam’s Vande Mataram invitation comes amid intense criticism of his earlier comment linking Mamdani’s victory to “Changing Colours of Global Cities.” On November 6, he warned that Mumbai would not allow any “Khan” to become its mayor a statement that drew sharp political reactions.
Opposition leaders accused Satam of communalising Mumbai’s civic politics ahead of the 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. His new remarks are being viewed as part of an emerging strategy to blend nationalism and identity politics in the city’s election discourse.
Reactions Across Parties
The Vande Mataram controversy deepened political divides:
- Congress leaders called Satam’s move “a distraction from governance issues like Water, Waste and Traffic,” accusing the BJP of deliberately shifting the narrative toward identity and religion.
- The Shiv Sena (UBT) described the “No Khan” and Vande Mataram episodes as “dog whistle politics” aimed at polarising voters.
- NCP spokespersons urged the BJP to focus on civic management instead of invoking nationalism for local elections.
On social media, the debate exploded. Supporters of Satam hailed his invitation as “A patriotic appeal,” while critics labelled it “A calculated provocation.”
Military & Civil Voices Weigh In
Retired Lieutenant General H. S. Panag criticised the language of Satam’s original post, remarking, “Why say ‘Impose a Khan’? A mayor is elected, not imposed. Let voters decide.”
Civil society groups in Mumbai echoed similar sentiments, warning that “Identity Politics” risks damaging the city’s plural and inclusive spirit.
The Larger Picture
Political observers say these developments reveal how global political milestones like Zohran Mamdani’s ascent as the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of New York City are echoing in India’s local political space.
With Mumbai’s civic elections due in early 2026, the BJP appears to be testing themes of cultural Nationalism, Heritage and Identity as key campaign tools. Analysts believe the twin controversies over Vande Mataram and the “No Khan” remark could shape the tone of Mumbai’s upcoming polls.
Bottom Line
What began as a congratulatory moment for a New York election has cascaded into India’s own political storm.
From “No Khan in Mumbai” to the Vande Mataram invitation dispute, Ameet Satam’s remarks have reignited debates about nationalism, inclusivity, and the boundaries of faith in public life.
As the political temperature rises, Mumbai a city built on diversity once again finds itself at the crossroads of identity and democracy.
