New Delhi, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Hannan Mollah, a former MP from the CPI(M), emphasized the significance of President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to India and the BRICS summit, urging the Indian government to capitalize on these events for the nation’s benefit. He criticized the government’s stance on “Vande Mataram,” linking it to communal politics.
Mollah remarked on the importance of the BRICS summit, which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time in nearly seven years. He pointed out that while the government presents the summit as a groundbreaking event, it should focus on fostering discussions on political, economic, and trade issues. Mollah suggested that India should use this opportunity to enhance job creation, trade, and economic collaboration.
He stressed that instead of merely proclaiming itself as a “Vishwaguru” or global leader, India should seek to establish stronger trade relations and cooperative ventures with other nations. If utilized effectively, the BRICS platform could yield substantial benefits for India.
Regarding Xi Jinping’s visit, Mollah highlighted that both India and China are major global players, and their conflicts do not serve anyone’s interests. He advocated for improved bilateral relations and urged both countries to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue. He characterized Xi’s visit as a vital opportunity for discussions on border and other pressing matters.
Mollah also criticized the government’s approach to “Vande Mataram,” alleging that it is attempting to enforce lesser-known verses of the song instead of honoring its traditional usage. He noted that the first two stanzas have long been celebrated in the freedom movement and public life, while the later verses carry different political and communal connotations. He accused the BJP of exploiting this issue for communal politics.
He argued that compelling individuals to sing the entire song to demonstrate patriotism is inappropriate, stating that standing in respect is sufficient. Mollah supported the Karnataka government’s decision to maintain the tradition of singing only the first two stanzas, opposing any new laws that would mandate additional verses. He called on all democratic and secular parties, including Congress, to raise their voices against such governmental actions, reminding them that no government is permanent, and laws can be reviewed with changes in power.
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