Ideology of nationalism guides our belief, says BJP

The BJP on Sunday said the ideology of "nationalism" guides its belief, and maintained that the Constitution allows freedom of speech but does not permit destruction of the nation.

"Constitution of India allows complete freedom to dissent and disagreement but does not permit destruction of the nation. We completely support freedom of expression," Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley told reporters after the party's two-day national executive meet here passed the political resolution passed.

"Ideology of nationalism guides our belief and direction," he added.

The issue of nationalism figured in the political resolution even on the second day of the Bharatiya Janata Party's national executive meting.

BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday had invoked the issue in his presidential address, saying the party would not accept criticism of the nation in the name of freedom of speech and expression.

Jaitley said chanting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" is the issue which should not be debated at all.

"We believe this is one issue on which there should be no debate. People in India should have absolutely no difficulty as far as this slogan is concerned and the best example we saw yesterday (Saturday) at Eden Gardens (during India-Pakistan twenty20 world cup match)," Jaitley said.