New Delhi, 7 November (H.S.): On the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday described the national song as a symbol of India's collective soul that gave new impetus to the freedom movement.

In a message shared on the social media platform X, Kharge stated that the composition by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay celebrates the spirit of Mother India as well as the nation's unity and diversity.

Kharge recalled the historic moment when the song was first sung publicly by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Indian National Congress session in Calcutta. He noted that this event infused new energy into the struggle for independence.

The song quickly became a powerful anthem for the freedom movement .The Congress President highlighted that from the Bengal partition movement in 1905 to the final stages of the freedom struggle, the song resonated across the country . It became a unifying cry for revolutionaries and activists alike.

Vande Mataram was featured in the publication by Lala Lajpat Rai, was inscribed on the flag raised by Bhikaji Cama, and was included in the revolutionary poetry of Ramprasad Bismil, solidifying its status as the slogan of freedom.

Kharge concluded by stating that the Congress party proudly sings both Vande Mataram and Jana-Gana-Mana, as these songs are powerful symbols of India's unity, diversity, and national pride.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar