What Did PM Modi Say About Vande Mataram and Congress's Politics?

Modi Critiques Congress Over Vande Mataram

New Delhi: On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress party of fragmenting the national song Vande Mataram under the pretense of promoting social harmony, asserting that the party continues to engage in appeasement politics.

During a Lok Sabha session focused on Vande Mataram, Modi criticized former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for his agreement with the notion that the song might offend Muslims.

He referenced a letter from Nehru to Subhash Chandra Bose, which suggested that the song's background could provoke anger among Muslims, a claim made after a protest led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Lucknow.

Modi quoted Nehru's letter, stating that he had acknowledged the potential for Vande Mataram to incite Muslim discontent.

The Prime Minister noted that Congress later held a session in 'Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's Bengal' to reassess the song's usage.

Modi alleged, "On October 26, Congress compromised on Vande Mataram, fragmenting it under the guise of social harmony. History bears witness to this as an attempt at appeasement politics. Under pressure, Congress agreed to divide Vande Mataram, which also led to their acquiescence to the partition demands."

He emphasized that history shows Congress capitulated to the Muslim League due to such pressures.

Modi remarked, "This is a clear example of Congress's appeasement politics. Their willingness to divide Vande Mataram mirrored their later acceptance of India's partition."

He asserted that Congress continues to practice the same politics of appeasement today, as evidenced by the supportive reactions from treasury benches.

The Prime Minister recalled Mahatma Gandhi's statement from 1905, highlighting Vande Mataram's popularity as a national anthem and questioned the injustices it faced.

He asked, "If Vande Mataram was so beloved, why was it subjected to injustice? What forces were powerful enough to override Mahatma Gandhi's wishes regarding the song?"

Modi expressed sorrow that when Vande Mataram marked its centenary, the nation was under the Emergency, with the Constitution being suppressed.

He noted that despite British oppression, Vande Mataram remained a symbol of unity.

Reflecting on the Emergency, he stated, "When Vande Mataram celebrated its 100 years, the nation was shackled, and those who fought for patriotism were imprisoned."

Describing the Emergency as a dark period in Indian history, Modi urged that the current moment should not be wasted in restoring the significance of Vande Mataram.

He highlighted that the mantra of Vande Mataram empowered the nation during the freedom struggle.

Modi concluded, "It is a privilege for us to commemorate the historic occasion of Vande Mataram reaching 150 years."

He recalled that the British were compelled to ban Vande Mataram, despite their efforts to enforce the national anthem 'God Save the Queen' in every household.

He stated, "Vande Mataram was penned during a time when the British government was alarmed following the 1857 uprising, leading to various forms of oppression. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's response through Vande Mataram was one of strength and resolve, inspiring unity even when Bengal was divided in 1905."