Despite Mahatma Gandhi's praise that the patriotic song had become a national anthem, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress on Monday of betraying "Vande Mataram" and caving in to pressure from Mohammed Ali Jinnah to "divide" it. He claimed that the party committed the "grave injustice" because of its appeasement politics.
Modi began a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the 150th anniversary of the national hymn, tracing its development into a patriotic rallying cry and a unifying spirit against British rule, especially in the popular agitation against Bengal's separation in 1905.
He said that Gandhi, who was a lawyer in South Africa at the time, had recognized its enormous appeal in Bengal. Modi cited Gandhi's 1905 remarks on the song in the weekly Indian Opinion, saying, "It is so popular that (it is almost) as if it has become our national anthem."
It is sweeter than anthems from other countries and has tremendous sentiments. Its only goal is to arouse our sense of patriotism. India is revered and viewed as the mother.
Why was it betrayed in the past century if it was such a wonderful song? requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior to criticizing Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Which forces had the power to influence beloved Bapu's feelings? In referring to Congress's 1937 decision to limit its recitation to the first two paras, he observed, "A sacred song like 'Vande Mataram' was dragged into controversy."
The reasons for the betrayal of a song that so terrified the British that they outlawed it and suppressed those who sung it as a nationalist anthem must be understood by the younger generation.
Additionally, he took a jab at the Trinamool Congress, claiming that groups using the Congress name continue to stir up controversy over the song, which is frequently criticized by some Muslims for its vivid Hindu overtones, including the invocation of deities.
As he pointed out that even the Vedas have depicted India as a mother, Modi seemed to be replying to critics who have found the song's vision of the nation as an agoddess offensive with a powerful articulation of cultural nationalism, a core guide to the Sangh Parivar.
When TMC MP Saugata Roy stood up to object to Modi's usage of "da" rather than the more respectful "babu" following the songwriter Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's first name, Modi made a concession and thanked him for the proposal.
Modi's more than 55-minute speech was heard without any major interruptions. From then on, Modi referred to Bankim with the suffix "babu."
The BJP hopes to strengthen its relationship with the people of West Bengal, which will hold elections in a few months, by using the song's association with Bengali icons like Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and Rabindra Nath Tagore, who set it to music.
The BJP will face the Trinamool, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, which has frequently defended its regional identity to corner its main rival.
According to Modi, when Jinnah objected to the song being sung during Congress sessions on October 15, 1937, Nehru, the president of his party, felt uneasy and "agreed" with the Muslim League leader's criticism, writing to Subhas Chandra Bose that the song's Anandmath background might agitate and provoke Muslims.
He emphasized the irony of that conclave being held in Chatterjee's state by saying that Nehru cut the song down to its first two paragraphs during its Kolkata session on October 26 rather than confronting Jinnah and the Congress.
"History is proof that Congress submitted to the Muslim League," he continued. Congress had to submit to the division of India later on because of its appeasement policy, which caused it to split Vande Mataram.
Modi claimed that his party owed Vande Mataram a debt by making sure it received its due, because the national song is a staple at BJP gatherings.
