Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha that linking the discussion on Vande Mataram to the upcoming West Bengal elections is “incorrect and misleading,” asserting that the song belongs to the entire nation and not to one region. He said the history and emotional force of the song played a decisive role in inspiring Indians during the freedom struggle.
Shah Calls Vande Mataram a Symbol of Cultural Nationalism
Shah recalled the colonial period, stating that Vande Mataram ignited the spirit of resistance against British rule at a time when the country was submerged in despair. He credited Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay with awakening cultural nationalism, arguing that India’s boundaries are shaped not only by law, but by culture and shared civilizational identity. Shah said that even when the British banned the song, Bankim Chandra declared he would sacrifice all his writings but Vande Mataram must remain the nation’s anthem of unity.
Sharp Attack on Congress for “Legacy of Opposition”
Amit Shah criticised the Congress party for its absence during the Parliament discussion marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, saying that similar opposition dates back to the time of Jawaharlal Nehru. He claimed opposition to the song is “in the DNA of Congress leadership.” Referring to partition, he said that had appeasement not been promoted, “the country would not have been divided.” Shah accused Congress MPs of calling the discussion a diversionary tactic and challenged them to debate any issue in Parliament without disruption, saying the ruling coalition has “nothing to hide.”
