NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday rejected the opposition’s accusation that the government sought a debate on Vande Mataram to gain political advantage in the West Bengal assembly elections scheduled for April–May next year.Also Read | Why Vande Mataram has triggered a stormVande Mataram, the national song, completed 150 years on November 7. It was written by renowned Bengali novelist and poet Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. The song was discussed in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Both Houses will hold debates on it for 10 hours each during the current week of the Winter Session of Parliament.Shah was speaking in the Rajya Sabha, where he opened the debate.Here are top quotes from Shah’s speech
- “Some people want to diminish its importance by linking it to the West Bengal elections. However, it is an immortal creation that inspires a sense of duty and dedication towards Mother India.”
- “Vande Mataram was needed during freedom struggle, even now as well as when country becomes ‘Viksit Bharat’ in 2047.”
- Vande Mataram helped India get freedom, it will help make country ‘Viksit’ in ‘Amritkaal’.”
- “Discussion of Vande Mataram in both Houses will help future generations understand its true importance, glory. We don’t abstain from Parliament, nor run away from discussing issues; ready to discuss anything.”
- “Several leaders of the INDI alliance, I have the list of them, had said that they will not sing ‘Vande Mataram’. I have seen it myself, several members walk out of the House whenever ‘Vande Mataram’ is sung.”
- “Policy of appeasement started by breaking Vande Mataram; had it not happened, country would not have been divided.”
- “When Vande Mataram turned 100, opposition leaders were thrown in jail, Emergency was imposed, country held captive.”
- “The government has decided to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in a big way all through the year.”
