Lyricist and screenwriter Manoj Muntashir Shukla on Friday criticised Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi amid the ongoing political debate over the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’, saying the national song should be sung in its entirety.
“The Leader of Opposition should refrain from such acts. ‘Vande Mataram’ should be sung in its entirety,” Muntashir told IANS during his visit to Ujjain.
Muntashir was in the city to offer prayers at the Mahakaleshwar Temple and was accompanied by his wife.
The remarks came amid a political debate over the use of selected portions of ‘Vande Mataram’ at public and political events. A recent controversy has also emerged over a Karnataka government directive concerning the singing of the song, which has been challenged in the Karnataka High Court.
Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, ‘Vande Mataram’ became an important symbol of India’s freedom movement and was later accorded the status of the national song.
Muntashir also responded to the political assertion that India does not belong to anyone’s father, linking the country’s identity to its historical and cultural heritage.
“People keep saying that India does not belong to anyone’s father. I want to ask them whom they consider their father. The pride of the Suryavanshis has always been in our veins. The saffron sky has existed since Sanatan. We consider Shivaji and Guru Nanak as our fathers. India belonged to our forefathers, and it still does,” he said.
The lyricist has previously criticised Rahul Gandhi while commenting on the Congress leader’s proposed student outreach initiative. He had also described Gandhi’s position as Leader of Opposition as a “misfortune” and expressed hope for stronger Opposition leadership.
Muntashir also spoke about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the quality he admired most in him was his spirit of service.
“There are many inspiring incidents from his life, but if I had to choose one quality, I would choose his spirit of service. He serves selflessly. I believe that if his entire life had to be summed up in one word, it would be ‘service’,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address the fifth edition of his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student outreach programme in Indore on Saturday, September 19. The event is expected to focus on issues concerning students and education.