Mehbooba slams Centre over Vande Mataram debate, says BJP indulging in ’empty symbolism’

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti. File | Photo Credit: PTI

Ahead of a debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha on Monday (December 8, 2025), PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the ruling BJP at the Center is preoccupied with “empty symbolism” instead of addressing pressing issues like the crisis caused by the turmoil at IndiGo airlines.

Also Read | Winter session of Parliament Day 6 LIVE updates: PM Modi initiates debate on Vande Mataram in Lok Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha on Monday, December 8, 2025, and it is expected to bring to light many important and previously unknown aspects about the national song.

While IndiGo passengers are left helpless and helpless, the parliament is busy debating over the two-hundred-year-old Vande Mataram. The BJP now seems intent on indulging in empty symbolism rather than confronting the crises that are harming people. How political is this…

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) December 8, 2025

In a post on

The former Prime Minister was referring to the cancellation of hundreds of IndiGo flights since December 2, citing regulatory changes in pilots’ flying duty and regulatory norms. Outages left hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the country

“How will this political theater create jobs, control rising prices or deal with the real pressing issues that weigh on millions of Indians?” he asked.

It was published – 08 December 2025 13:33 IST