Lok Sabha has taken up the discussion on the 150th Anniversary of the National Song Vande Mataram. The national song was written by Bankimchandra Chatterji in 1875. Initiating the discussion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the mantra of Vande Mataram gave power and inspiration to entire country and energised the freedom movement. He said, remembering the sacred Vande Mataram today is a great privilege for all members of this House and the countrymen. Mr Modi said that 150 years of Vande Mataram is an opportunity to re-establish that great chapter and the glory. He added that the national song Vande Mataram brought the country independence in 1947. The Prime Minister said, Vande Mataram is the force that drives the people to achieve the dreams of the freedom fighters envisioned.
Prime Minister Modi said when Vande Mataram celebrated its 100th anniversary, the country was shaken by the emergency. He added that when the national song should have been celebrated with great fervor, the Constitution of India was strangled and those who lived and died for patriotism were imprisoned behind bars.
Prime Minister Modi said, Vande Mataram is not just a mantra for political freedom but it was a sacred war cry to rid Bharat Mata of shackles of colonialism. He said, Vande Mataram rekindled an idea deeply rooted in India for thousands of years. The Prime Minister said, Vande Matram was written at a time of uprising against the British government for unleashing various forms of oppression. He said through the national song, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay responded to this challenge with great strength and resolve.
Prime Minister Modi said, Vande Mataram is the modern expression of this great cultural tradition. He said, the deep connection of Vande Mataram with the people reflects the journey of country’s freedom movement. Mr Modi added that Vande Mataram gave strength and direction to the freedom movement.
Prime Minister highlighted that the politics of the Muslim League opposing Vande Mataram took pace in 1937. Mr Modi criticized Congress for compromising on Vande Mataram. He alleged that Congress bowed to the Muslim League on the national song. The Prime Minister said, Mohammed Ali Jinnah raised slogans against it and the then Congress chief Jawaharlal Nehru, instead of condemning Jinnah he started investigating Vande Mataram just five days after Jinnah’s opposition.
Participating in the debate, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, several writers and poets from Bengal wrote songs that inspired many during the Independence movement. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to give a political colour to the debate during his speech.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said, Vande Mataram united people. He claimed that the emotion behind Vande Mataram was to reject communal politics.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar of TMC said, Vande Mataram is the creative impulse of determination and consciousness in the heart of every Indian.
Devesh Chandra Thakur of JD(U) said, Vande Mataram was not just a song, but a national call for awakening. He noted the long history of invasions by Muslim rulers since medieval times. Mr Thakur said, they tried to break India’s culture and spirit and failed.
Dr Byreddy Shabari of TDP said, Vande Mataram is an eternal song and it represents courage, hope and collective consciousness of the country.
Shrirang Barne of Shiv Sena said the national song Vande Mataram is synonymous with nationalism. He accused Congress of removing paragraphs of the national song pertaining to Goddess Durga and Bharat Mata.
A Raja of DMK, Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT), Bhaskar Bhagare of NCP (SCP) also participated in the discussion.
During the beginning of the discussion, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, the House is taking up the discussion of Vande Mataram, the National song written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. He said the national song offered light and hope during difficult times as India fought off colonial oppression.
