Amidst a growing controversy over the use of patriotic slogans in Parliament, the government is reportedly considering lifting restrictions imposed during the UPA era on the use of "Vande Mataram," potentially setting the stage for heated debates in the upcoming parliamentary session. This move is viewed by some as an attempt to counter the opposition's narrative surrounding nationalism and patriotism.
The controversy erupted after the Rajya Sabha Secretariat issued an advisory, citing the "Handbook for Members of Rajya Sabha," which reminded MPs that raising slogans such as "Jai Hind" and "Vande Mataram" inside or outside the House would be considered a breach of parliamentary etiquette and decorum. This advisory, which was reissued before the upcoming session, is based on a similar circular from 2005 and frames the restriction as procedural rather than ideological.
West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly questioned the reports that MPs were being restricted from using the slogans "Jai Hind" and "Vande Mataram" inside Parliament, implying that such limits could affect regional identity.
The Congress party has also criticized the BJP, accusing them of objecting to expressions deeply rooted in the freedom movement. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate pointed out that the British had previously opposed these slogans and questioned why the BJP would now have a similar problem. She stated that those who did not participate in the freedom movement and sided with the British are now objecting to slogans that were once anathema to colonial rulers.
The slogan "Vande Mataram," which translates to "I praise thee, Mother," is an ode to Mother India and envisions all citizens as its children. The song, written in 1870 by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, became a political and nationalist slogan during the Swadeshi movement in 1905. Rabindranath Tagore first sang it at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. Between 1906 and 1910, the British regime repeatedly banned "Vande Mataram," leading to arrests for singing it. Revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Khudiram Bose raised the slogan during their trials and at the time of their hangings.
However, the slogan has also faced opposition, particularly from some Muslim politicians and clerics who argue that singing "Vande Mataram" is against the tenets of Islam. They believe that Muslims can only bow to Allah and no one else. Author and activist Arif Mohammed Khan, who translated "Vande Mataram" into Urdu, argued that the opposition to the slogan stems from divisive politics that led to the Partition, rather than religious reasons.
In light of the ongoing debate and the historical significance of "Vande Mataram," the government's potential decision to lift the restrictions could reignite discussions about nationalism, religious sentiments, and parliamentary decorum. It remains to be seen how the opposition will react and whether this move will lead to further disruptions in the House.
