PTI
NEW DELHI, Dec 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Congress of “breaking into pieces” the national song Vande Mataram under the pretext of promoting social harmony, asserting that the party has long been driven by what he termed “appeasement politics”.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on Vande Mataram, the prime minister referred to a letter written by former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Subhas Chandra Bose, in which Nehru reportedly expressed concern that the background of the song could “antagonise Muslims.” Modi said the letter was written after Muslim League leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah protested in Lucknow.
Quoting Nehru, Modi said, “He had read the background of the song and felt it could spark anger among Muslims.”
Modi further alleged that the Congress later convened a session in “Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Bengal” to reconsider the use of Vande Mataram, eventually agreeing to divide the song.
“But on October 26, Congress compromised on Vande Mataram. They broke it into pieces under the mask of social harmony. History is witness… This was Congress’ attempt at appeasement politics. Under its pressure, Congress agreed to divide Vande Mataram. This is the reason Congress also bowed to the demand for partition,” the prime minister claimed.
He added that history has recorded how the Congress “knelt before the Muslim League” and continued to follow the same politics of appeasement even today. His remarks drew loud desk-thumping from the treasury benches.
The prime minister also referred to Mahatma Gandhi, noting that Gandhi had written in 1905 that Vande Mataram had become so popular it had effectively emerged as the national anthem. Modi questioned why “injustice was meted out to it” despite Gandhi’s views.
“If Vande Mataram was so popular, why was it betrayed in the last century? What were those forces so powerful that they overruled the wishes of Mahatma Gandhi?” he asked.
Modi also recalled that when Vande Mataram completed 100 years, the nation was under Emergency. “At that time, the Constitution was throttled and those who lived and died for patriotism were pushed behind bars,” he remarked, calling the Emergency a “dark chapter” in Indian history.
He said the country now has an opportunity to “restore the greatness” of the national song, which he described as a source of strength and inspiration during the freedom struggle.
“The mantra of Vande Mataram energised and inspired India’s freedom movement, showing the path of courage and determination. Remembering this sacred song today is a great privilege for all of us in this House,” he said, noting that the nation is witnessing the “historic occasion” of its 150th anniversary.
Modi also highlighted that Vande Mataram was written at a time of intense British repression after the 1857 uprising. “The British were forcing their national anthem, ‘God Save the Queen’, into every household. Through Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay responded to this challenge with great strength and resolve.”
He added that although the British banned the song and restricted its printing and propagation, Vande Mataram continued to inspire unity, particularly during the 1905 partition of Bengal.
