New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) Congress President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge Tuesday launched a fierce counter-attack against the ruling BJP during the Rajya Sabha debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, accusing the government of using the patriotic song for political gain while ignoring pressing national issues.
Beginning his speech with the chant of Vande Mataram, Kharge remarked pointedly, “We have a habit of singing ‘Vande Mataram,’ but those who didn’t use to, now have started it as well. This is the power of ‘Vande Mataram’!” The comment was aimed at BJP’s ideological predecessors, whom he alleged were historically absent from the freedom movement. Kharge accused the government of hijacking a national symbol to divert public attention from the country’s real problems.
Kharge’s speech came after union Home Minister Amit Shah’s strong defense of the debate, which Shah said should not be linked to the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections.
Kharge, however, took a dig at Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “PM Modi and Amit Shah leave no chance to insult Jawaharlal Nehru and other Congress leaders.” Quipping further, he added, “But that is only natural. Wherever PM goes, Amit Shah follows!”
The debate on Vande Mataram in the Rajya Sabha has thus become a larger battleground for political narratives, blending patriotism with sharp partisan exchanges. While the BJP stresses the song’s historic and cultural significance as a unifying national symbol, the Congress accuses the government of using it to divert attention from critical issues and upcoming state elections.
The ongoing discussions mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, originally composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, which has long been regarded as the soul of India’s freedom struggle and a call to national unity. The government has planned year-long celebrations to commemorate this milestone.
