Replying to the debate on the Bill, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai alleged that it is difficult to fathom why Congress and its allies are opposed to the full version of Vande Mataram. He charged that Congress has always played politics of appeasement and by opposing this issue, it is encouraging forces which want to break the country into pieces.
“Why do some people, especially Congress, have opposition to Vande Mataram? This Bill is not a mere legislation but one that shows our commitment to India’s soul, its consciousness, cultural legacy and the ideals of the freedom struggle,” Rai said.
He recalled the words of Bankim Chandra and Rabindra Nath Tagore on Vande Mataram and how it was sung at the Congress conclave during the freedom struggle. “When Jawaharlal Nehru became Congress president in 1937, he restricted Vande Mataram to just two stanzas,” Rai said.
The minister underlined that when Subhash Chandra Bose became President in 1938, he ensured the full version was sung and later Sardar Patel also ordered rendition of the complete song on All India Radio on the morning of August 15, 1947. He further said that in 1950 President of India Rajendra Prasad had said Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mann will have the same standing.
“Congress opposing the views of Sardar Patel and Rajendra Prasad means it has always followed ethe policy of appeasement and compromising India’s glory…. It is difficult to understand why Congress and its allies are opposed to Vande Mataram. Opposing it means encouraging the gang wanting to break India into parts,” Rai said.
The Bill was passed after a short discussion in which mostly NDA members took part.The first half of Wednesday saw two adjournments as the Opposition raised slogans demanding that Shah come to the House and clear the air on who authorized the use of pellet guns against protesting students.
When the House assembled again, DMK floor leader T Siva pressed for a statement by Shah before the Vande Mataram Bill discussion was taken up. TMC floor leader Derek O’Brien also raised the issue as the Opposition raised slogans. O’Brien and Siva handed over their copies of the Rajya Sabha rule book to Deputy Chairperson Harivansh who was chairing the proceedings, alleging the rules of procedure are being ignored. TMC staged a walkout, followed by DMK.
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari tried to raise a point of order but with the Chair taking up the discussion on the Bill, the main Opposition also walked out. Renuka Choudhary slammed the Opposition as she joined her colleagues in leaving the House.
Mainly members of NDA and its supporting parties took part in the discussion on the Vande Mataram Bill. RMD Agarwal (BJP) praised the Bill and recalled the importance of Vande Mataram in the freedom struggle. Other speakers included M Thambidurai (AIADMK), Sanjay Jha (RJD), Sanjay Singh (AAP), Sulata Deo and Jyoti Waghmare (Shiv Sena).
