Rajnath Singh: ‘Vande Mataram is India’s past, present and future’

By A Staff Reporter

In a special address during the Parliament’s Winter Session on Monday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the enduring legacy of Vande Mataram, calling it a powerful symbol that shaped India’s national consciousness across generations. His remarks came as the country marks 150 years of the iconic patriotic hymn.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “given a beautiful beginning” to the discussion by emphasising the emotional and historical weight carried by the song. “Vande Mataram is a part of India’s present, past and future,” Singh declared, noting that it strengthened freedom fighters during their struggle against British rule. “It awakened our country and became a source of motivation. This song even reached the British Parliament,” he said.

Highlighting its early influence, Singh recalled that in 1906, India’s first national flag was designed with the words Vande Mataram inscribed at its centre. The flag was hoisted in Bengal that year, symbolising the rising wave of resistance. He also mentioned the launch of a newspaper titled Vande Mataram in August 1906, aimed at mobilising public awareness and unifying nationalist sentiment.

“At the time, Vande Mataram was not just a word,” Singh asserted. “It was a feeling, an emotion, and a call to action.” He added that the hymn continues to inspire generations and remains a guiding force in shaping India’s identity.