Uttar Pradesh Congress President Aradhana Misra Mona on 21 October 2026 asserted that while standing united against the country's enemies is a national duty, the 'biggest enemy' today is anyone who attacks India's democracy or its Constitution. Her remarks came directly in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Vijayadashami appeal for citizens and political parties to unite against forces threatening India's honour, social harmony, and cultural heritage.

What Aradhana Misra Mona Said

Speaking to reporters, Aradhana Misra Mona said, 'Standing united against the enemies of the country is our national duty, and all of us must uphold our constitutional responsibilities. However, I would like to say one thing: India is the largest democracy in the world, and today, democracy is under threat. The corruption and irregularities coming to light in the name of the SIR are deeply concerning. The biggest enemy at present is one who is attacking democracy or the Constitution.'

Her statement amounts to a pointed counter-framing: rather than deflecting PM Modi's call for unity, she accepted its premise but redirected the definition of 'enemy' toward what she described as institutional and democratic threats — a political manoeuvre designed to put the ruling establishment on the defensive.

PM Modi's Vijayadashami Message

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to recognise and confront those who harm the country's prestige, sow division, and promote hatred toward India's culture. Invoking the teachings of ancient seers, he called on all political parties and institutions to remain united against the nation's enemies and emphasised collective resolve in defence of what he termed 'Maa Bharati.'

PM Modi also drew on the legacy of Lord Ram, stressing that India's faith in Ram spans thousands of years and is rooted not merely in the defeat of Ravana but in the 'unparalleled ideals Lord Ram offered to humanity.' He noted that Lord Ram 'never left the path of truth and policy' despite facing immense hardships, and upheld dharma through every crisis.

JD(U) Backs PM Modi's Appeal

Janata Dal (United) National Spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan described PM Modi's appeal as 'relevant and important,' invoking the sacrifices of freedom fighters. '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,' he said.

The JD(U) endorsement underscores the ruling alliance's unified messaging on nationalism and cultural heritage during the Vijayadashami period — a time that has historically been used by political actors to set the tone on identity politics ahead of upcoming assembly cycles.

The Broader Political Context

The exchange is emblematic of a recurring pattern in Indian politics: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government frames national unity around cultural and civilisational identity, while the opposition — particularly the Indian National Congress (Congress) — reframes the same discourse around constitutional and democratic guarantees. This is not the first time that a Vijayadashami address by the Prime Minister has drawn pointed responses from the opposition. Notably, Misra Mona's reference to the SIR (Special Investigation Report or related process) and the 'irregularities' linked to it signals that the Uttar Pradesh Congress is seeking to connect the national debate to state-level governance concerns — a strategy that could gain traction as Uttar Pradesh approaches its next electoral cycle.

With both sides invoking patriotism and constitutional duty, the coming weeks are likely to see this debate sharpen further across parliamentary and state-level platforms.