BJP has forced people raising anti-India slogans to chant Jai Hind: Arun Jaitley

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won the first round of ideological challenge on nationalism by forcing people raising anti-India slogans to chant Jai Hind, Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said.

Jaitley's comments amid a charged debate over patriotism and chanting of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".

The senior BJp leader's statement comes against the backdrop of AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi's refusal to chant "Bharat Mata ki Jai" saying he is not obliged to do so by Constitution. Prior to Owaisi's statement that stoked a debate, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had said the youth should be taught patriotic slogans.

The issue escalated into a political slugfest with the Shiv Sena, BJP and other parties slamming the Hyderabad MP over his stand. Maharashtra Assembly suspended an AIMIM MLA after he refused to chant the slogan, while the Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed a censure motion condemning Owaisi.