Vande Mataram row: Karnataka Congress backs two-stanza decision; BJP criticises move

Bengaluru: The Congress and BJP in Karnataka have clashed over the Congress Working Committee’s (CWC) decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, with Congress leaders welcoming the move and the BJP accusing the party of showing disrespect to the country’s culture and the national movement.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Karnataka Congress President B.K. Hariprasad welcomed the CWC decision, saying Congress would continue to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram. He said BJP leaders should sing the National Anthem at RSS shakhas if they considered themselves patriotic.

“Whatever they do, we will sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram. Let them jail us or hang us, we are ready. We are not cowards like the BJP,” Hariprasad said.

He argued that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Vande Mataram originally comprised two stanzas when it was written in 1875. He said that the BJP was politicising the song and said there was no question of appeasement in the Congress’ stand.

“If BJP leaders are so patriotic, let them conduct RSS shakhas and sing the National Anthem there,” he said.

Hariprasad also took a swipe at BJP leaders over their reported admiration for actor and BJP MP, Kangana Ranaut, questioning whether they would accept one of her songs as the National Anthem if it was described as such in Parliament.

Responding to the Congress’ stand, Karnataka Assembly Deputy Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA, Arvind Bellad, alleged the CWC decision demonstrated that there was no connection between Congress and patriotism.

“Congress has not shown respect for the culture of this land. There is no connection between the Congress party and patriotism,” Bellad claimed.

He said Vande Mataram had served as a source of inspiration for youths and freedom fighters during the freedom struggle and accused the Congress of disregarding its own legacy.

“If Sonia Gandhi, the Congress party and the CWC are not ready to sing the song, it shows that they do not care about Bharat and its culture,” Bellad alleged.

He further claimed that the Congress’ approach towards national and cultural issues was one of the reasons why voters had rejected the party in the past.

The exchange comes amid a wider political debate over the place of Vande Mataram in official and public events, with both parties seeking to frame the issue around patriotism, nationalism and respect for India’s freedom struggle.

IANS