Congress Yielded to Muslim League…PM Modi Highlights 5 Key Points on Vande Mataram

New Delhi: On Monday, during the Winter Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and designated as the national song in 1950, Vande Mataram will be discussed for 10 hours in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha this week. The debate in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday will be led by Home Minister Amit Shah from the BJP.

1. Historical Significance of Vande Mataram
PM Modi recalled the song’s history and its national role. He noted that when Vande Mataram turned 50, India was still under British rule. By the time it reached 100, the country had faced the Emergency, and the Constitution had been suppressed.

2. Inspiration for the Freedom Struggle
The Prime Minister said the song energized India’s freedom movement, instilling courage and resolve. It became a response to British oppression after the 1857 revolt. While the British sought to spread “God Save the Queen” across Indian households, Bankim Chandra’s Vande Mataram emerged as a powerful counter-message.

3. Rooted in Vedic Tradition
Modi emphasized that Vande Mataram is inspired by the Vedic worldview—seeing the land as a mother and oneself as her child. This reflects the foundation of Indian cultural thought. He highlighted Bengal’s intellectual strength guiding the nation and noted that the British attempted to divide Bengal to weaken this influence. Yet, Vande Mataram stood as a symbol of unity and resistance.

4. British Restrictions and Congress’ Historical Stance
The song’s influence was so strong that the British imposed punitive restrictions on its singing and printing. Modi described it not merely as a song, but as a source of patriotic duty. He questioned Congress’ historical approach, alleging that Jawaharlal Nehru had expressed concerns that the backdrop of Anandamath might “agitate” Muslims. Subsequently, on October 26, Congress reviewed the use of Vande Mataram and excluded certain parts in the name of “social harmony.” Modi said this marked Congress yielding to the Muslim League.

5. Beyond Political Struggle
PM Modi said, “Vande Mataram was not just a political slogan. It was the fight to liberate our motherland. It was a sacred struggle to free Bharat Mata from the chains of oppression.” He added that the British realized that long-term rule in India would be difficult without dividing the nation and creating internal conflict, using Bengal as an experimental ground for their ‘Divide and Rule’ policy.

BJP vs Congress
Recently, PM Modi accused Congress of removing several verses of Vande Mataram in 1937 and “sowing seeds of division.” Congress responded, stating that Rabindranath Tagore himself had endorsed only the first two stanzas, and Nehru’s decision considered objections from later verses and a section of the Muslim community.