Report: Vishu Shukla
Raipur News: The special discussion on the 150th birth anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ in the Chhattisgarh Assembly filled the House with patriotism. This discussion, which started under the chairmanship of Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, spread from the story of the freedom struggle to the new construction of present India. Instead of describing the song as just a collection of words, the leaders called it ‘the energy of the freedom movement’, which inspires the nation even today.
Assembly Speaker started the discussion
The discussion was started by Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh. He said, “Vande Mataram is not just a song but the energy of the freedom movement. When it completed 50 years, India was under the slavery of the British. On completion of 100 years, emergency was imposed on the country. Now after completion of 150 years, there is Modi government at the center, which is moving towards nation building.” Dr. Singh said, this discussion is necessary because we are moving towards a new era. Today is an opportunity for our assembly to come together and secure our contribution in building Navbharat.” He urged all the members that discussion is important, so keep your views open.
CM cornered Congress, said this
Welcoming the discussion, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said, “Thank you for the special discussion on the 150th birth anniversary of our national anthem. The narration of the Gaurav saga is important for every countryman.” He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for discussing this issue in Parliament. CM said emotionally, martyrs used to accept hanging with this song. But the then government distorted it to appease it. “Congress had to appease, so only a few excerpts of the national anthem were taken to praise the birthplace, because some Muslim League people had problems.” He warned that the society which does not learn from history, its future is ruined. “Today, on this occasion, I remember all the great men. Vande Mataram connects with consciousness, connects with the public.”
Differences added later…
During the discussion, Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahanta saluted Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and said, “I salute him because of whom we got this song.” He highlighted the composition of the song: “It was composed in 1875, which is a worship of the motherland. New stanzas were added when it was published in ‘Anand Math’ in 1882. Originally there were two stanzas, more were added later. There was a discussion in the Congress session as to how this should become the national anthem.”
‘Use of song to divide India’
Refuting the comment on Nehru ji, Mahant said, “I do not understand why Nehru ji is being brought into this. It is said that Nehru ji broke the song and that became the reason for partition, but Nehru ji accepted two lines honestly, so that the country gets new strength.” He appealed, “In the discussion, I would like to say that history should not be spoiled. It is not right to show the wrong path to the coming generation. Some people are using this song to divide India.”
