Overview
On December 22, 2025, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the state Assembly during the Winter Session, initiating a discussion on Vande Mataram. He criticized the Congress party, stating that despite Vande Mataram being first sung from their platform, they “strangled the Constitution” by imposing the Emergency in 1975 during the centenary celebrations of the national song.
Key Historical Context
Early Promotion of Vande Mataram
Mr. Adityanath emphasized that respect for Vande Mataram instills a sense of national duty towards constitutional values. He described the song as a symbol of the nation’s soul, struggle, and resolve. He noted that when Vande Mataram celebrated its silver jubilee, India was still under British rule.
- The song was composed during a period of heightened repression by the British government following the First War of Independence.
- The Congress party served as a platform to advance the freedom struggle during that time.
- In 1896, Rabindranath Tagore sang Vande Mataram for the first time at a Congress session, transforming it into a mantra for the entire nation.
Controversies and Political Shifts
Mr. Adityanath alleged that the Congress pursued a policy of appeasement. He stated that as long as Mohammad Ali Jinnah was in the Congress, Vande Mataram was not a major point of contention. However, after Jinnah left the Congress, he allegedly used it as a tool of the Muslim League, giving the song a communal color.
- On October 15, 1937, in Lucknow, Muhammad Ali Jinnah raised slogans against Vande Mataram.
- On October 20, 1937, Jawaharlal Nehru, then the Congress president, wrote to Subhas Chandra Bose, expressing that the song's background made Muslims uncomfortable.
Contemporary Relevance
Mr. Adityanath stated that India is progressing towards fulfilling the dream of Vande Mataram’s composer, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. He mentioned that the discussion in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly is part of a series of programs launched from New Delhi to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
UPSC Relevance
This news article is relevant for UPSC aspirants as it touches upon various aspects of Indian history, polity, and culture. It highlights the historical significance of Vande Mataram, the role of the Indian National Congress in the freedom struggle, and the controversies surrounding the song. It also provides insights into the political dynamics of pre-independence India and the evolution of political discourse.
Syllabus Mapping
- GS1: Modern Indian History, Culture
- GS2: Indian Polity