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VANDE MATARAM IN THE POLITICAL CAULDRON
by
Veteran Lt Gen PG Kamath
(Former Commandant,
Army War College, Mhow)
Email ID: Lt Gen PG Kamath
Prelude
The Nature of politics in the country has an uncanny ability to stir controversy even on issues which are inert to politics. You praise your country, and you will be branded as a ‘Rightist’. You praise the Government for development of roads/railways/air travel/health/pharmaceuticals/space programmes; rest assured that you will be branded as ‘Bhakt’; not that such a branding is bad, but rest assured those who brand you are sure that they have abused you. I remember a comment on one of my articles was that I was looking out for a lucrative government contract. I have been an infantry officer for four decades, and I really do not know what contract would come to me or what I am capable of executing, unless he means that I will be used in one of the Private Military Companies (as in the Russian Army) to capture an objective in POK or Tibet?
Be assured that once you write in public places, there will be bouquets and brickbats, and a mature writer should not take them personally and should accept the comments from the readers, as ultimately all of us are entitled to our views. Vande Mataram has been a butt of such political controversies, and the Law of the Land should prevail.
VANDE MATARAM IN THE POLITICAL CAULDRON
I saw on TV the restlessness and unease among the Congress leadership as ‘Vande Mataram’ played in the background. The National Song extols and prays for the well-being of our motherland, and invokes God's blessings for the prosperity of our great nation. It was the song that had inspired millions for the freedom movement and was banned by the British as it evoked emotion and love for the motherland, which was inimical to their interests. On 24 Jan 1950, the Song was nominated as the National Song by Rajendra Prasad, the President of the Constituent Assembly, who said that the National Song would hold the same importance as the National Anthem; however, sadly, it was not mentioned in the Constitution of India.
The original song was taken from Anandamath, a novel by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee written in 1875. The background of the novel was the devastating Bengal Famine of 1770. The general discontent and oppressive British rule galvanised a Sanyasi Rebellion. The song that aroused emotional patriotic fervour among the Sanyasis (Sanatanis) was Vande Mataram. The song prays for the prosperity of our country, with swaying crops, sparkling waters, abundance of fruits and multi coloured flowers. It also depicts the cool moonlight, green foliage and the happiness and sweetness it gives to its people. The third stanza speaks of the strength of its people who pray for their motherland. The fourth speaks of knowledge, faith, strength and devotion. The fifth stanza invokes Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati for strength, prosperity and knowledge. Lastly, the sixth stanza sings about an ever-smiling, beautiful land that nourishes and sustains its people. During the struggle for Indian Independence, the song became a Mantra of the nation to invoke patriotism and fanned the flame of the Independence Movement.
As the Indian Muslim League, led by Jinnah (founder of Pakistan), had reservations about singing for Hindu Goddesses, in the CWC Meeting of 1937, presided over by Nehru, a resolution was passed endorsing only two stanzas of the Vande Mataram as the National Song. Please note it was a party resolution and does not have legal locus standi to make it applicable to the whole nation.
In 1950, when Vande Mataram was nominated as the National Song, Jinnah had gone and founded Pakistan, and those Muslims who did not want to be in India had already left for Pakistan, and the issue of objections to the song, if any, was not relevant. Despite its adoption as the National Song, it was still omitted from the Constitution of India.
On the 150th Anniversary of the National Song, the present Government passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and made it into an Act this month. It now mandates that the National Song include all its six stanzas as it was at its inception, and would get the same honour and status as the Indian National Anthem. It also criminalises disrespect to it with a maximum punishment of three years in prison/fine or both.
What was amusing was that the Congress Leadership was seen deliberately disrespecting the National Song. What added to the amusement was the explanation given by a lackey of the party that SG was asking someone to bring a chair to the ageing President of the Congress.
Wait and watch; more amusement was in store: Sadly, the President of Congress was not given a chair despite her entreaties. Later, the Congress stated that the party would only consider two stanzas as the National Song, as sung by Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel. Many came up with the idea to seek an apology from the three offenders who deliberately disrespected the National Song.
In the entire drama, I do not understand: if Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel had sung only two stanzas, does it mean that what they did would be sacrosanct for eternity and the free will of the nation becomes subservient to what they did? Bharat does not belong to Gandhi, or Nehru, or Patel or even to Narendra Modi. Bharat belongs to the people of this country, and the will of the nation coalesces in the authority of the serving Prime Minister. As per the Constitution, the bill becomes an Act after it is passed by the Parliament. Then where is the question of apology or lip service? The Law of the Land should take its course and FIRs need to be registered against the offenders, and Kapil Sibal is always there to fight such cases which are inimical to national interests: His services should be sought, and I am sure the ever condescending Court will acquit them on the basis that SG was concerned of health of the ageing President of Congress, and her son was also equally concerned; as the ailing patriarch was about to faint hearing uncalled praises for the nation. The Court would acquit all of them and may also commend their humanitarian concerns for the ageing President of their Party.
I contend that the Law of the Land applies to all, and tomorrow, if a common citizen disrespects the National Song, would they seek his apology or charge him as per law? Obviously, he would be subject to the verdict of the court sans the services of Kapil Sibal.
The Congress President proclaiming that his party would only sing the National Song as approved by the Congress of 1937 is a total defiance of the law of the land. However, the mere intention to insult without an act of insult is not punishable. The Congress Party is welcome to change the rule as and when they form a government at the centre. Till then, the people, including the Congress, can choose to sing all six stanzas of the National Song or become a guest of the government in Tihar for three years. We are free to choose our option.
THE END
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