CPI(M) slams BJP over Vande Mataram
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday issued a strong statement disapproving of the manner in which the BJP and Hindutva communal forces are misusing the question of prioritising Vande Mataram with all six stanzas as legislated by Parliament.
Highlighting its position, the CPI(M) pointed out the historical context in which the song was officially rendered as the National Song. The party noted that the six stanzas were added subsequently, after a lapse of decades, to dovetail with the novel Anandamath by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
“It is on the basis of this historical fact and the implication that no one less than Rabindranath Tagore himself found this unacceptable as the National Anthem,” the Polit Bureau stated.
Clarifying its stand, the Left party stated that there are no reservations about the recitation of the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, as has traditionally been done during the freedom struggle and within the Constituent Assembly.
However, the CPI(M) alleged that following the passage upgrading its status with the addition of all six stanzas, attempts are being made to turn the rendering of this version into a single-point marker for patriotism.
“It clearly betrays the Hindutva forces’ communal and divisive objectives. The hypocritical style of wearing patriotism on its sleeve is exposed by the act of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker walking out midway during the rendering of the National Anthem,” the press release read.
The Polit Bureau expressed concern that such moves are disruptive to national unity, adding that ironically, these actions are being initiated by those who did not show the inclination to raise the Vande Mataram slogan during the freedom struggle.
Reiterating its stance, the CPI(M) affirmed that all constitutionally accepted concepts must be honoured, as they represent vital additions to the idea of India by recognising pluralism and inclusiveness.
