New Delhi, 9 December (H.S.): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday initiated a special discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the 150th anniversary of India’s national song Vande Mataram, asserting that its relevance has endured from the time of its inception and will remain equally significant in the building of a developed India by 2047.

Describing Vande Mataram as an immortal composition that evokes devotion, duty, and reverence for Mother India, Shah said that during the freedom struggle, every gathering of patriots began with this sacred chant. “Even today, when brave soldiers make the supreme sacrifice at the nation’s borders, the last words on their lips are Vande Mataram,” he remarked.

The Home Minister criticized those attempting to diminish the importance of this national symbol by associating it with West Bengal’s political discourse, calling such efforts “an attempt to politicize a subject that transcends politics.” He argued that discussions on Vande Mataram were relevant at the time of its creation, during the Independence movement, and remain equally vital today.

“Those questioning its relevance must reassess their understanding,” Shah stated.

He highlighted that Vande Mataram served as a rallying cry against colonial oppression and remained a source of inspiration and national awakening during India’s struggle for freedom.

“When martyrs laid down their lives for the country, it was this chant that inspired them to wish for rebirth in India for the service of the motherland,” Shah recalled.

Tracing the song’s origin, Shah said Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed Vande Mataram to reflect India’s cultural tradition of viewing the nation as a mother and to revive the spirit of cultural nationalism. Despite colonial restrictions and repression, the song spread from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, stirring the hearts of millions across the country.

He added that Vande Mataram also symbolized resistance against centuries of foreign invasions and cultural imposition, embodying the resilient cultural identity and unyielding spirit of India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar