The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, threw its full weight behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for national unity against what he described as 'enemies of the country', calling it 'the biggest clarion call for national security.' The endorsement followed Modi's address at Vijayadashami celebrations at the DDA Utsav Ground in IP Extension, New Delhi, where he urged citizens to resist forces dividing society and opposing India's cultural values.

What Modi Said at Vijayadashami

Addressing the gathering on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi urged political parties and citizens to place 'Nation First' above all else. He specifically called on people to identify and defeat forces that, in his words, sought to harm the country. 'The forces that inflict harm on the country, the people who divide society and the mindset that hates our culture, all these are the enemies of the nation,' Modi said. The appeal also came in the context of the government's effort to build political consensus for the passage of the delimitation-linked Women's Reservation Bill.

BJP Leaders Rally Behind the Appeal

BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi described Modi's address as a landmark moment, saying the Prime Minister's call to the country's 1.4 billion citizens to unite was the most significant invocation of national security in recent memory. 'On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, Narendra Modi ji's call to the 1.4 billion citizens of the country to unite against the enemies of Mother India is the biggest clarion call for national security,' Saraogi said. He further alleged that certain 'anti-national elements and desperate political leaders' were attempting to undermine India's Sanatan culture even as India was performing strongly on the global stage.

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal echoed the sentiment, reiterating Modi's long-standing governance philosophy. 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always stressed that we should all work together to build the country. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas has been his mantra,' Khandelwal said. He urged political opponents to 'introspect and join the mainstream,' arguing that those who prioritise personal political interests over national progress should reconsider their stance.

Ally JD(U) Adds Its Voice

Janata Dal (United) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan also backed the Prime Minister's appeal, invoking the sacrifices of India's freedom fighters. 'This appeal is highly relevant and important. No one should hesitate to acknowledge today that countless martyrs sacrificed their lives and numerous freedom fighters endured torture in prison to free Mother India from the shackles of slavery, after which the country attained its Tricolour,' Ranjan said. The support from a key National Democratic Alliance ally signals broad coalition backing for Modi's framing ahead of any legislative push on the Women's Reservation Bill.

Political Context and What Comes Next

The BJP's sharp counter-positioning against unnamed 'political opponents' — whom it accused of placing self-interest above national progress — reflects an escalating effort to define the terms of political debate ahead of the Women's Reservation Bill proceedings. Critics argue that sweeping characterisations of opponents as 'anti-national' risk narrowing democratic space for dissent, a concern opposition parties have raised in previous sessions of Parliament. Notably, this is not the first time the Vijayadashami platform has been used to frame a national political message; the occasion has historically served as a symbolic launchpad for ideological positioning. How the opposition responds to Modi's unity appeal — and whether the Women's Reservation Bill finds cross-party support — will shape parliamentary dynamics in the weeks ahead.