New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress during the historic Vande Mataram debate in the Lok Sabha on Monday, accusing former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of echoing Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s opposition to India’s national song. The Vande Mataram debate, marking 150 years of the patriotic composition, witnessed sharp political exchanges over historical decisions regarding the iconic song.
Nehru’s Letter to Netaji Highlighted
During the Vande Mataram debate, PM Modi referenced correspondence between Nehru and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose from 1937, claiming Nehru had expressed concerns that the song might “provoke and irritate Muslims.” The Prime Minister stated that Nehru had suggested examining the song’s usage despite it originating in Bankim Chandra’s Bengal.
This revelation formed the centerpiece of Modi’s criticism during the Vande Mataram debate, as he accused the Congress leadership of “pandering to communal concerns” rather than upholding the song’s unifying patriotic significance. The Prime Minister characterized this historical stance as compromising national unity for political considerations.
Emergency Connection in Vande Mataram Debate
The Vande Mataram debate saw PM Modi linking the national song to the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975. He asserted that when the composition completed 100 years, “the Constitution was throttled and those who lived for patriotism were put behind bars.”
Modi described the Emergency as “a dark chapter in our history” during the Vande Mataram debate, contrasting that period with the current opportunity to restore the song’s greatness. “Now we have the opportunity to restore the greatness of Vande Mataram. That opportunity should not be allowed to pass,” the Prime Minister told the House.
Rock of Resistance Against Oppression
In the Vande Mataram debate, PM Modi characterized the national song as the mantra that “energised and inspired India’s freedom movement.” He emphasized that even when British authorities banned its printing and propagation, the song “stood like a rock” against colonial oppression.
The Prime Minister explained during the Vande Mataram debate how Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay created the composition in response to the British pushing ‘God Save the Queen’ into every household after the 1857 uprising. Modi noted that despite the partition of Bengal in 1905, Vande Mataram unified the country.
The 1937 Controversy Revisited
The Vande Mataram debate addressed the BJP’s repeated criticism of Congress’s 1937 decision to adopt only the first two stanzas of the song in national gatherings. Some Muslim leaders of that era viewed later verses invoking Hindu goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati as religiously symbolic.
PM Modi argued during the Vande Mataram debate that this decision “sowed the seeds of division” that ultimately culminated in India’s Partition. This historical controversy forms a significant component of the ongoing political discourse between the BJP and Congress.
Congress’s Historical Defense
While the Vande Mataram debate saw sharp attacks from PM Modi, the Congress has previously rejected such characterizations. The party has maintained that Nehru insisted the lyrics were “harmless” and should not be interpreted as referring to goddesses, though Modi’s criticism suggests this defense remains politically contentious.
The row surrounding the Vande Mataram debate resurfaced last month when BJP leaders cited Nehru’s letters to Bose, arguing his approach signaled willingness to restrict the song to appease communal sensitivities.
National Commemorations Framework
The Vande Mataram debate fits within a broader framework of national commemorations highlighted by PM Modi. He noted that the nation recently celebrated 75 years of the Constitution, 150 years of Sardar Patel and Birsa Munda, and the 350th martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur.
Modi positioned the Vande Mataram debate as part of this continuum of honoring India’s historical legacy and freedom struggle heroes. The 150th anniversary provides an opportunity to reevaluate the song’s role in contemporary national consciousness.
Restoring Glory at 150 Years
A central theme of the Vande Mataram debate was restoration of the national song’s glory. PM Modi emphasized the contrast between the song’s 100th anniversary during the Emergency and its 150th anniversary under the current government, suggesting an opportunity for redemption.
“When Vande Mataram celebrated 100 years, the country was entangled in the Emergency… Now, at 150 years, it is our duty to restore its glory,” Modi stated during the Vande Mataram debate.
Unity Through Patriotic Symbols
The Vande Mataram debate underscored how patriotic symbols can become sites of political contestation. Modi’s framing presented the song as a unifying force that transcends religious and regional boundaries, countering historical concerns about its religious imagery.
The Prime Minister described participating in the Vande Mataram debate as “a great privilege for all of us,” emphasizing the parliamentary discussion’s significance in national discourse.
Historical Legacy and Contemporary Politics
The Vande Mataram debate revealed how historical decisions continue influencing contemporary political narratives. By linking Congress’s past actions to communal appeasement, Modi positioned the BJP as defenders of uncompromising patriotic expression.
The eight-hour Vande Mataram debate, initiated by the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha with Union Home Minister Amit Shah scheduled to speak in the Rajya Sabha, represents significant parliamentary time dedicated to examining the national song’s multifaceted legacy and ongoing political significance in modern India.
