PM Modi says ‘Vande Mataram’ became a symbol of unity against British divide-and-rule strategy
PTC Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday opened a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on Vande Mataram, recalling how the national song emerged as a powerful call for unity when the British intensified their divide-and-rule policies.
Marking 150 years of the iconic composition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the British administration deliberately targeted Bengal, believing that weakening the region would weaken the entire country. However, he noted that the same land gave birth to Vande Mataram, which soon turned into a strong challenge to colonial rule.
“The British realised after 1857 that governing India would not be easy. To fragment our society, they made Bengal the testing ground for divide and rule. But at the time of the partition of Bengal, Vande Mataram became a rock-solid force of unity,” he said.
PM Modi added that the British were so threatened by the growing influence of the song that they imposed restrictions on singing, printing and circulating it. He said the national song was created at a time when the British were trying to impose God Save the Queen in Indian households, but Vande Mataram rose beyond politics to become a “sacred war cry” against colonialism.
Recalling its centenary, the Prime Minister also took a swipe at the Congress, saying the Constitution “choked” during the Emergency when the country marked 100 years of Vande Mataram.
Parliament has allotted 10 hours for the special debate on the national song in both Houses. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is expected to lead the Opposition’s interventions.
- With inputs from agencies
