Tripura BJP Minister Attacks Congress Over Vande Mataram Stand
Sudhanshu Das accuses Congress of minority appeasement and compares its position on Vande Mataram with that of the Muslim League.
Tripura Animal Resources Development Minister Sudhanshu Das has criticised the Congress party over its position on Vande Mataram, accusing it of moving away from India’s cultural traditions for political reasons.
Speaking to ANI, Das said Vande Mataram should not be viewed simply as a patriotic song. He described it as an important part of India’s freedom movement that inspired people during the struggle against British rule.
The song was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and later included in his novel Anandamath, published in 1882. Its association with prominent figures including Rabindranath Tagore further strengthened its place in India’s nationalist movement.
Das said he was concerned by what he described as Congress opposition to the song. He argued that Vande Mataram carries deep emotional and cultural significance for many Indians, with the motherland traditionally being portrayed as a mother and its people as her children.
The BJP leader also referred to the historical opposition to Vande Mataram from the Muslim League and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He said concerns had been raised in the past over the song’s religious imagery.
Drawing a comparison with that history, Das accused Congress of taking a similar approach today because of what he called minority appeasement and vote bank politics. He went further by saying that Congress has become like the Muslim League.
His comments come as Congress continues to follow its 1937 decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party functions.
Das also appealed to Sanatani Hindus and nationalist minded supporters within Congress to reconsider their political association. He urged people who value their religion, culture, history and national traditions to think carefully about their continued support for the party.
He also called on young Indians who respect the country’s cultural heritage to reject what he described as politics that undermines national traditions. In making his appeal, he referred to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.