Kangana Ranaut has strongly disagreed with veteran actress Sharmila Tagore’s recent comments about the national song, ‘Vande Mataram’.
Bollywood actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has now weighed in on the nationwide debate over ‘Vande Mataram’. Her reaction has sparked a fresh discussion, coming right after veteran actress Sharmila Tagore shared her thoughts on the song.
Sharmila Tagore had suggested that we could consider keeping only the first two stanzas of the song as the national song. She argued that the later parts mention Hindu gods and goddesses, which might make people from monotheistic faiths feel uncomfortable.
However, Kangana Ranaut completely disagrees with this view. She insists that any piece of art or a national symbol should not be judged only through a religious lens. Kangana questioned if such a limited perspective should be expected from an artist. Her main point was that ‘Vande Mataram’ should be seen as a symbol of our freedom struggle and patriotism, not through the divisive lens of Hindu-Muslim politics.
Kangana added that ‘Vande Mataram’ is not just a song; it is a symbol deeply connected to the emotions of India’s freedom struggle. According to her, the song’s spirit is about awakening the inner strength and patriotism of the people. Therefore, she feels it’s wrong to limit its interpretation to just religious identity.
On the other hand, Sharmila Tagore’s statement was about inclusivity. The later stanzas of the song mention Hindu deities like Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. This is why there has been a long-standing discussion about whether the full song is acceptable to people of all faiths.
This debate also has a significant historical background. ‘Vande Mataram’, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, played a crucial role in the freedom movement. In 1950, the Constituent Assembly recognised it as the national song and declared that it would be given equal status with ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
So, the recent controversy over ‘Vande Mataram’ is not just about a difference of opinion between two stars. It is raising new questions about national symbols, religious sentiments, artistic freedom, and patriotism. And the disagreement between Kangana and Sharmila has added a new Bollywood angle to this debate.