New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha on Monday. In his address, PM Modi launched a sharp historical critique of the Congress, alleging that the party “compromised on a national symbol” in 1937 under pressure from the Muslim League. PM called it a “moment of weakness that paved the way for greater concessions leading up to Partition.
Speaking during a special discussion to mark 150 years of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s iconic composition, the Prime Minister said, “The Muslim League opposed Vande Mataram in 1937. Instead of firmly rebutting these objections, Congress leadership, including Jawaharlal Nehru, agreed with the League’s arguments.” He stated that the Congress Working Committee, on 26 October 1937, decided to review and dilute the status of the song under the pretext of “social harmony.”