The controversy surrounding the national song Vande Mataram, which originated at the Congress headquarters in the national capital Delhi, has now reached the soil of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in West Bengal. During the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, an incident occurred at the Congress headquarters that has sparked a massive political row. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has strongly criticized the Congress party and demanded an unconditional apology for the alleged disrespect shown to the national song. He revealed that a formal letter has already been sent to Sonia Gandhi by the family of Rishi Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the creator of Vande Mataram.
Suvendu Adhikari Demands Apology from Congress
Suvendu Adhikari, while addressing the media, stated that the viral video from the Congress headquarters has exposed the true face of the party's leadership. He emphasized that Vande Mataram has been a symbol of national pride for over 150 years and continues to be held in the highest regard. Adhikari pointed out that specific laws have been enacted to protect the honor of the national song. He also mentioned his personal efforts in making the singing of Vande Mataram mandatory in government schools to instill patriotism among students.
Highlighting the historical significance of the song, Adhikari described Vande Mataram as the lifeline of Indian revolutionaries. He asserted that any insult to this song is an insult to patriotism itself and, most importantly, a direct affront to the legacy of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. He condemned the incident from the soil of Bengal, stating that the state is deeply hurt by these actions.
Allegations of Appeasement Politics
The Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on the state unit of the Congress, claiming they lack the courage to protest against such incidents. He stated that while he expects nothing from the local leadership, he's looking forward to a response from Sonia Gandhi. Adhikari questioned the nature of the anger displayed by the Congress leadership during the event. He asked why there was such resentment, questioning if it was because the song mentions Goddess Durga or Goddess Saraswati. He termed the incident a blatant insult to nationalism and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, alleging that the Congress is attempting to please a specific vote bank through the politics of appeasement.
Bankim Chandra's Descendant Expresses Outrage
Sumitro Chatterjee, a direct descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has also voiced his strong disapproval of the incident. According to reports from PTI, Chatterjee alleged that during the program at the Congress headquarters, there were repeated attempts to stop the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram. He described this alleged act as not just unfortunate but a shameless repetition of a historical mistake.
In a deeply emotional letter addressed to Sonia Gandhi, Sumitro Chatterjee expressed his profound pain, a sense of emptiness, and anger. He clarified that he was writing not just as a direct descendant of Bankim Chandra but also as a common citizen and a patriot, while the BJP MLA from Naihati emphasized that any hesitation in singing the complete song on the soil of independent India is a grave insult to the sacrifices made by freedom fighters like Khudiram Bose.
Historical Legacy of Vande Mataram
The controversy has brought the historical role of the song back into the spotlight. Sumitro Chatterjee reminded the Congress leadership of the song's pivotal role in India's freedom struggle. He cited the 1896 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress where Rabindranath Tagore himself sang Vande Mataram. He also mentioned the 1905 Banaras Congress session where Sarala Devi Chaudhurani performed the song. Referring to the words of Sri Aurobindo, he described Vande Mataram as a mantra that initiated the nation into the religion of patriotism, while the descendant of the legendary author insisted that the song's sanctity must be maintained at all costs.