Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly criticized the Congress party, particularly Rahul Gandhi, for allegedly showing disregard toward the national song Vande Mataram. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the sixth day of the Winter Session, he pointed out that the Leader of the Opposition was absent during important discussions, saying, “First Nehru, now Rahul Gandhi, has shown disregard to Vande Mataram.” PM Modi accused the Congress of insulting the national song and “surrendering before the Muslim League,” recalling that Jawaharlal Nehru had expressed concerns about the song inciting Muslims in a letter to Subhas Chandra Bose. He described this as a historical betrayal of Vande Mataram.

Highlighting the song’s significance in India’s freedom struggle, the Prime Minister called it a unifying force and a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and national pride. He emphasized that Vande Mataram was not merely a political slogan for independence but represented the enduring cultural legacy of India, inspiring generations during the British era.

PM Modi reflected on historical events such as the 1905 Bengal partition, noting that despite British attempts to divide the country, Vande Mataram “stood like a rock.” He described the song as a powerful mantra that energized and guided the freedom movement, asserting that the government aims to restore its glory for future generations.

Marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, the Prime Minister said the occasion is an opportunity to reaffirm national pride. He linked it to other historic milestones being celebrated this year, including 75 years of the Constitution, 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Patel and Birsa Munda, and the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

PM Modi urged the nation to unite across regions and communities, emphasizing that remembering and honoring Vande Mataram is a shared duty. He called on all citizens to draw inspiration from the song to fulfill the dreams of freedom fighters and work toward a self-reliant, developed India by 2047. The debate on Vande Mataram in Parliament will continue in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with three hours allocated for the government and a total of ten hours earmarked for the discussion. The Winter Session of Parliament, which began on December 1, will conclude on December 19.