PM Narendra Modi
Credit: X/@PTI_News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lamented that the Constitution was "throttled" and the nation chained by the Emergency when national song Vande Mataram completed 100 years.
Initiating a day-long discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, Modi noted that Vande Mataram stood like a rock and inspired unity despite British oppression.
"When Vande Mataram completed 50 years, country was under colonial rule while at its 100th anniversary the nation was under Emergency," Prime Minister Narendra said in the Parliament on Monday.
Here is what PM Modi said in his speech in Lok Sabha:
He said that India was "reeling under colonialism", when Vande Mataram completed 50 years.
The prime minister noted that the mantra of Vande Mataram gave power and inspiration to the entire country during freedom struggle.
"The mantra energised and inspired India’s freedom movement and showed the path of courage and determination. Remembering that sacred Vande Mataram today is a great privilege for all of us in this House."
PM Modi further said, "The politics of the Muslim League opposing Vande Mataram took pace in 1937. Mohammed Ali Jinnah raised slogans against it. The then Congress chief Jawaharlal Nehru, instead of condemning their statements and expressing his and the party’s fidelity towards Vande Mataram, started 'investigating' Vande Mataram just five days after Jinnah’s opposition."
He then added that "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wrote a letter to Subhash Chandra Bose after Jinnah’s opposition to Vande Mataram, stating that he had read the background of Vande Mataram and thought it might provoke and irritate Muslims. He added that they would examine the use of Vande Mataram, and that too in Bankim Chandra’s Bengal."
"It is unfortunate for the country that Congress compromised on Vande Mataram. They bowed to the Muslim League and decided to fragment Vande Mataram," the PM said in the House.
"Some great people of India dreamed of a free India, and today’s generation dreams of a prosperous India. The inspiration for both is Vande Mataram. We have to make India Aatmanirbhar and Viksit by 2047. Vande Mataram will keep inspiring us, and we must take it forward together. I believe that both the Houses will be inspired and energised by the debates held in both the Houses," he said.
(With PTI inputs)