The Lok Sabha held a discussion to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram.

About Vande Matram (‘I bow to thee, Mother’)

• Composition and Publication: Vande Mataram was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay around 1870–1875. 
  • He first serialised it in his magazine Bangadarshan and later wove it into his novel Anandamath (1882).
  • The novel is based on the Sanyasi Rebellion (18th Century) in Bengal against the British, following a severe famine.
• First Public Performance: Vande Mataram, written in a mix of Sanskrit and Bengali, was first publicly performed by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Congress Session.
• Role in Freedom Struggle: During the 1905 Partition of Bengal under Lord Curzon, Vande Mataram became a national war cry and a slogan of resistance, uniting diverse sections of Indian society. 
  • Its influence was so significant that the British banned the song.

About the 1937 Congress Session 

• Decision to Sing Only the First Two Stanzas: The source of the current controversy lies in the 1937 Congress Session, where it was decided that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung.
• Reason for Division: The first two stanzas were considered purely secular, describing the natural beauty of the motherland, such as Su-jalam Su-phalam. 
  • However, the later stanzas contained imagery comparing the Motherland to Hindu Goddesses, such as Durga and Lakshmi.
• Muslim League Objection: Since monotheistic religions like Islam prohibit idol worship, the Muslim League raised objections to the later stanzas of Vande Mataram.
• Resolution: Leaders like Pandit Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, and Maulana Azad consulted Rabindranath Tagore, who advised adopting only the secular initial stanzas.
  • The Congress Working Committee passed this resolution in October 1937 to maintain national unity.

 Post-Independence Status and Current Clash

• Constitutional Status: On 24 January 1950, Dr Rajendra Prasad stated that Jana Gana Mana would be the National Anthem and Vande Mataram would be the National Song. 
  • Both were granted equal status due to Vande Mataram’s historic role in the freedom struggle.
• Government’s View in Parliament: During the 150th-anniversary debate, it was argued that the 1937 decision to cut stanzas was the beginning of Muslim appeasement, which strengthened the Muslim League and helped sow the seeds of partition.
• Counter-View: They stated that the priority at the time was maintaining national unity and avoiding division, and suggested that Parliament should focus on current issues such as jobs and the economy.

Way Forward

• Avoid Weaponising History: History should not be used to create division.
• Recognise Plural Participation: There is a need to acknowledge that the National Movement promoted accommodation, with millions of Muslims participating in the struggle while singing Vande Mataram.
• Emphasise Secular Identity: Portraying the 1937 decision as “appeasement” only deepens communal divides; Parliament must prioritise a secular identity over religious narratives to safeguard social cohesion, development, and stability.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store

Conclusion

India must uphold unity and harmony with a rejuvenated national purpose. That indeed is the greatest salutation to Mother India.

DOWNLOAD PDF