Priyanka Gandhi Accuses PM Modi of Ignoring Historical Context on Vande Mataram in Lok Sabha

By A Staff Reporter

In a spirited intervention during the Parliament Winter Session on Wednesday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly contested Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s references to Vande Mataram, asserting that the government was attempting to present a selective historical narrative. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, she emphasised that the national song’s legacy must be understood through its deep-rooted cultural and historical significance—not political framing.

Priyanka Gandhi recalled the song’s central role during the movement against the partition of Bengal in 1905. “Vande Mataram became the voice of the people. Rabindranath Tagore himself sang this song while walking through the streets of Bengal… The British Empire trembled with fear listening to this song,” she said, highlighting its emotional force during the freedom struggle.

Taking aim at the ruling party, she remarked, “You are for the elections, we are here for the country,” before pointing out omissions in the Prime Minister’s speech. She cited a 1937 letter written by Subhash Chandra Bose to Jawaharlal Nehru, in which Bose mentioned his intention to discuss Vande Mataram within the Congress Working Committee and noted that he had approached Rabindranath Tagore for guidance. “PM Modi did not mention this in his speech today,” she said.

Priyanka Gandhi also referenced Nehru’s reply dated October 20, where he dismissed the opposition to Vande Mataram as a “manufactured” communal outcry. Nehru wrote, “Whatever we do, we cannot pander to communalist feelings but must address real grievances where they exist.” He added that his upcoming visit to Calcutta would allow him to meet Tagore to discuss the matter further.