Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday targeted the Congress party and Jawaharlal Nehru while addressing a special discussion on Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, accusing them of undermining the national song.

Speaking amid chants of “shame, shame” in the House, the PM said some forces in the last century had carried out a “vishwas ghaat” (betrayal) of the patriotic song. He claimed the Muslim League led by Mohammed Ali Jinnah in 1937 opposed Vande Mataram, and instead of resisting them, the Congress and Nehru questioned the song’s use, with Nehru reportedly writing to Subhash Chandra Bose expressing concern that it might “provoke and irritate Muslims.”

Modi also drew attention to the Emergency period, stating that when the song completed 100 years, India was witnessing a “black period” as patriots were jailed and the Constitution was “choked.” He highlighted that Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875, inspired freedom fighters and played a crucial role in India’s independence in 1947.

“Now, at 150 years, it is a good opportunity to restore the glory of Vande Mataram which won us freedom,” the Prime Minister said, emphasizing the need to pass on the song’s legacy to future generations.

The Parliament had allocated 10 hours for the special discussion on Vande Mataram in both Houses, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra leading the debate for the Opposition.