Karnataka BJP MLA Channabasappa sparks row, says Muslims opposing Vande Mataram should leave India
Synopsis
A Karnataka BJP MLA did not just criticise opposition to Vande Mataram — he named Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress MP Imran Masood, and made a remark about 'shooting' the latter. The statement, delivered at Vidhana Soudha, raises both political and potential legal questions in a state where Congress holds power.
Key Takeaways
Channabasappa on 18 August called on Muslims opposing Vande Mataram to leave India.
He demanded Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi also leave, accusing them of supporting 'anti-national' elements.
Channabasappa made a remark that 'the only thing left is to shoot and kill' people like Congress MP Imran Masood over alleged disrespect to Vande Mataram.
He defended the RSS as patriotic and criticised Minister Priyank Kharge for targeting the organisation.
The BJP MLA announced a party movement against what he called Congress's 'anti-national mindset.' MLCs D.S.
Dhananjaya Sarji were present at the Vidhana Soudha press meet.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA S.N. Channabasappa triggered a political storm on Tuesday, 18 August, by publicly declaring that Muslims who oppose 'Vande Mataram' should leave India, and extending that demand to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for allegedly backing those who disrespect the country's laws. The remarks were made at the BJP office in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, in the presence of MLCs D.S. Arun and Dr. Dhananjaya Sarji.
What Channabasappa Said
Speaking to reporters, Channabasappa invoked the Partition of 1947, arguing that a separate nation had already been created for those who could not accept India's laws. 'Immediately after Independence, the country was divided and a separate country was given to you. Why do you need India if you do not accept or respect the laws of this country? You cannot remain in this country,' he said.
He went further, directly naming the Gandhi family: 'Along with Muslims, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi should leave the country.' He accused the Congress of displaying the 'highest level of disgrace' by allegedly treating opposition to Vande Mataram as a matter of protecting minority sentiments.
Threat Against Congress MP Draws Sharp Attention
Among the most inflammatory of Channabasappa's remarks was a statement directed at Congress MP Imran Masood, whom he accused of disrespecting Vande Mataram. 'The only thing left is to shoot and kill' people like him, Channabasappa allegedly said — a remark that is expected to draw legal and political scrutiny. The statement has not been retracted or clarified as of the time of reporting.
Attack on Congress Government and RSS Defence
The BJP MLA also targeted Karnataka's Congress government, criticising Minister Priyank Kharge over remarks against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Channabasappa described the RSS as a patriotic organisation and alleged that while the Congress administration was reportedly drafting legislation to regulate the RSS, it had introduced no comparable measures against those he accused of violating national laws.
He also raised the issue of loudspeakers used for azaan, alleging that Hindus had long tolerated such practices, and claimed that the country's youth were prepared to resist what he described as the Congress's 'anti-national mindset.' He announced that the BJP would launch a formal movement on the issue.
Political Context
The controversy erupts against a backdrop of sustained BJP-Congress friction in Karnataka, where the Congress came to power in 2023 after defeating the BJP. Vande Mataram has periodically surfaced as a flashpoint in Indian politics, with debates over whether it can be made compulsory and whether objections to it constitute disloyalty. Channabasappa's remarks represent among the sharpest BJP-level articulations of that position in recent months.
The Congress is yet to issue a formal response to Tuesday's statements. Legal experts are likely to examine whether the remark about Imran Masood crosses the threshold for a criminal complaint. How Karnataka's law enforcement responds — given that the state is governed by the Congress — will be closely watched.
Point of View
Particularly in a Congress-governed state with political incentive to act. The invocation of Partition-era geography to question Muslim belonging is not new in Indian political discourse, but its articulation by an elected legislator at a party office gives it institutional weight that cannot be dismissed as fringe. What is notable is the absence, so far, of any BJP leadership distancing itself from the remarks — silence that, in effect, endorses the framing. Karnataka 2025 is shaping up as a laboratory for how aggressively the BJP tests cultural-nationalist rhetoric ahead of the next electoral cycle.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Karnataka BJP MLA Channabasappa say about Muslims and Vande Mataram?
S.N. Channabasappa said that Muslims who oppose Vande Mataram should leave India, arguing that those who do not accept the country's laws have no right to remain. He made these remarks at the BJP office in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, on 18 August.
Why did Channabasappa target Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi?
Channabasappa accused the Congress leaders of supporting those who allegedly disrespect India's laws and national symbols. He claimed they were encouraging 'anti-national' elements and said they too should leave the country.
What was the controversial remark about Congress MP Imran Masood?
Channabasappa said 'the only thing left is to shoot and kill' people like Imran Masood, whom he accused of disrespecting Vande Mataram. The remark has not been retracted and is likely to face legal and political scrutiny.
What did Channabasappa say about the RSS and Minister Priyank Kharge?
He defended the RSS as a patriotic organisation that had not violated any law, and criticised Minister Priyank Kharge for his remarks against it. He alleged the Congress government was drafting legislation to regulate the RSS while taking no action against those he accused of breaking national laws.
What action has the BJP announced following this controversy?
Channabasappa announced that the BJP would launch a movement against what he described as the Congress's 'anti-national mindset.' No specific dates or details of the planned movement were disclosed at the press meet.
