Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said Vande Mataram was the mantra that awakened India’s cultural nationalism and remains as relevant today as it was during the freedom struggle. Initiating the discussion on the 150th Anniversary of Song Vande Mataram in the Rajya Sabha today, Mr Shah stressed that the song will remain relevant in nation’s journey towards Viksit Bharat. The Home Minister criticised Congress for questioning the need for a debate on Vande Mataram and linking it to upcoming West Bengal elections.

The Minister said, freedom fighters used to begin every meeting with the singing of Vande Mataram and today, when brave soldiers make the supreme sacrifice at the border, they utter Vande Mataram.

Mr Shah said, through Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay established the culture, tradition of worshipping the country as a mother and cultural nationalism. The Home Minister said, overcoming all restrictions and enduring oppression and numerous hardships, Vande Mataram touched the hearts of the countrymen and spread from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. He said, Vande Mataram emerged against the backdrop of centuries of Islamic invasions that had weakened the country’s culture and as a response to the British attempt to impose a new civilization and culture. 

The Home Minister said, the discussion of Vande Mataram in both Houses will help future generations understand its true importance and its glory. 

Participating in the discussion, Leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge said Congress made Vande Mataram, the slogan during the freedom struggle. He said, when Mahatma Gandhi started the non-cooperation movement, lakhs of freedom fighters from the Congress went to jail chanting Vande Mataram. Mr Kharge said, the song Vande Mataram entered public life in India when Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore first sang it at the Congress session in Calcutta in 1896.    

Former Prime Minister and JD (S) leader H.D. Devegowda said, Vande Mataram continues to unite the nation. He said, each State of India now has a State song which draws its spirit from Vande Mataram.

Tiruchi Shiva of DMK said, several freedom fighters from the northern parts of the country are popular in Tamil Nadu. He says the government should teach about freedom fighters from Tamil Nadu in the CBSE School curriculum.

Dr M Thambidurai of AIADMK said that Vande Mataram is not merely a poem but it was a spark that charged up the nation with patriotism. He said the songs inspired the giants of the freedom movement like Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Praful Patel of NCP said the debate of Vande Mataram should not be linked with politics. He said the song ignited the spirit of patriotism for freedom struggle among people.

Shiv Sena’s Milind Murli Deora said Vande Mataram continues to reverberate across the country and world even after 150 years as it transcends religion and caste.

S Niranjan Reddy of YSRCP the Song Vande Mataram is an inspiration for all as it brought diffenrent people , different communities and religions together for fighting country’s independance.

Besides other members including Sukhendu Sekhar Roy of TMC, V Sivadasan of CPI (M), Sanjay Singh of AAP, K R Suresh Reddy of BRS, Y V Subba Reddy of YSRCP, Muzibulla Khan of BJD, Manoj Jha of RJD, Ghanshyam Tiwari and Dr K Lakshman of the BJP, Nominated  Sudha Murty and Haris Beeran of the IUML also particiapted in the discussion. After the conslusion of the speech of Haris Beeran, the Chair adjourend the House to meet at 11 AM tomorrow.