Vande Mataram debate in Parliament It is going to begin in the Lok Sabha today, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will initiate a special discussion on the occasion of completion of 150 years of this national song. The debate will highlight the history of Vande Mataram, its contribution to the freedom struggle and its broader cultural significance. Also, during this discussion, many lesser known historical facts related to the song may also come to light.
Prime Minister Modi can also talk about the relevance of this song published by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the literary magazine ‘Bangadarshan’ on 7 November 1875. The opposition is also waiting for PM Modi’s comments, especially because during a recent event he had accused the Congress of changing the original lines of the song during the Faizabad session of 1937. He said that decision promoted division. At the same time, Congress claims that this decision was taken on the advice of Rabindranath Tagore, so that the sentiments of all communities can be respected.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah can initiate the discussion on this topic in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. As per the scheduled discussion schedule, NDA MPs have been given three hours of the 10-hour debate in the Lok Sabha.
Here, even before the start of the winter session, the controversy escalated when the Rajya Sabha Secretariat advised the MPs to avoid using words like ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jai Hind’. The opposition targeted the government on this, alleging that the NDA is uncomfortable with the words considered a symbol of India’s unity and independence.
The debate on Vande Mataram is expected to remain politically heated in this session, which will continue till December 19.
