Vande Mataram should be given same status as national anthem: Nadda

Quoting from letters written by Nehru, Nadda alleged that Vande Mataram was not respected.

The Congress members countered him, accusing him of “distortion” and making “misleading” statements.

Nadda said the intention was not to defame Nehru, but to “set the record straight on India’s history”, and underlined that the fight was one of ideology as Vande Mataram was linked to nationalism.

“When something happens, it is the leader who is always responsible. And Nehru was the leader of the Congress and Congress-ruled government. You (Congress) discuss the Nehruvian age when it suits you and mention Subhas Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore when it does not suit you,” Nadda said.

He added, “Vande Mataram did not get the respect and status it deserved, and those who governed back then are responsible for it.”

However, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge pointed out that the discussion was on Vande Mataram and not Nehru.

Citing another letter by Nehru to Urdu writer Ali Sardar Jafri, Nadda alleged that Nehru criticised the song’s language, difficult words, and called its ideas not in line with modern notions of nationalism and progress. “This is our allegation that the then Prime Minister dismissed Vande Mataram’s cultural heritage and importance,” Nadda said.

He also alleged that when Nehru was Congress president, “sacred stanzas that invoked Bharat Mata as Maa Durga wielding weapons of freedom were discarded”, under pressure from communal elements.

The Union Minister also mentioned that the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, does not have any provision for a penalty if one disrespects or does not sing the national song Vande Mataram.

“A country is not run by making compromises, but by being mindful of unconditional national sentiments. Hence, Vande Mataram is linked to our nationalism, and we should move ahead with nationalism at the forefront,” Nadda said.