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| Controversy over singing Vande Matram | | editorial | |
The controversy raised over singing of the national song, "Vande
Matram" is very unfortunate.The patriotic song which was composed by a
Bengali writer, Bankam Chandra Chatterji, as back as on September 7
1876, with a view to inspire national awakening among the common
people through inculcating among them the spirit of national unity and
love for the country, has remained inspiring the freedom fighters in
the country during these 30 years. Way back on September 7 1905 this
was adopted as the national song by All India Congress Committee, in
its Varanasi session. Since its composition and incorporation in the
famous patriotic novel "Aanad Math", written with the objective to
rouse the spirit of nationalism and patriotism, exhorting the Indians
as a whole to rise in revolt against the foreign aggressors and the
imperialistic powers, enslaving the country. Through out the movement
for national resurgence and fight for country's independence this song
continued to be sung by the freedom fighters, including Hindus,
Muslims, Sikhs and members of all other religions. While the song
remained as a powerful instrument in imbibing the spirit of sacrifice
for upholding the glory of motherland, the freedom fighters for the
cause of independence through non violence, led by Mahatma Gandhi
would sing this song while offering peaceful Satyagrah, bearing all
the atrocities and tortures inflicted on them by the British
government in India, the revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chander
Shekhar Azad and Raj Guru kissed the gallows singing this patriotic
song. Even after country's freedom this song, adopted as the national
song, is sung on the conclusion of any national function, while Jan
Gan Man, adopted as national anthem, is recited on the opening of a
national function. In nut shell during all these 150 years never any
objection was raised from any quarter over the singing of the song.
The Muslims among the freedom fighters too have remained singing this
song as a source of inspiration and expression of their patriotic
fervour. It is ironical that controversy over the reciting of the song
on the occasion of celebration of centenary of the adoption of the
song as national song should be raked up to the extent as has been
done by some Muslim ulemas, on the plea of the singing of the song
saluting the motherland is against their religion. Every religion
teaches love and devotion for ones country and to be prepared to make
any sacrifice for the defense and freedom of the country. By raising
this controversy and issuing an addict to the Muslims by some ulemas,
unwittingly an attempt has been made by these elements to bring to
question the loyalty of the Muslims towards their country, India. This
has provided an handle to the Muslim bashers to raise suspicion among
the people at large about the patriotic spirit among the Muslims.
Vande Matram is the symbol of national unity and glory. There should
be no compromise on the issue. Those opposing this song are only
making their bonafide suspect. The progressive and nationalist Muslims
whose number in the country is in overwhelming majority as compared to
few parochial, fanatic and narrow minded members of the community,
should rise against this addict and oppose it tooth and nail. The
Union HRD minister, Arjun Singh has not done a service to the country
and the cause of national unity by bungling over the matter and making
a compromise, succumbing before pressure from some communal elements.
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