New Delhi, August 10: Vinod Bansal, the national spokesperson for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, has sharply criticized former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s comments regarding the national song ‘Vande Mataram.’ Bansal stated that the legacy of this song during India’s freedom struggle should not be confined to the agenda of the RSS or viewed through a political lens.
In an interview, Bansal remarked, “Pinarayi Vijayan is not an ordinary person; he is a former Chief Minister. He knows that both houses of Parliament have made it mandatory to sing ‘Vande Mataram.’ Yet, he is attempting to incite the people of Kerala against ‘Vande Mataram’ for his political gain.”
He emphasized that Vijayan must recognize that ‘Vande Mataram’ is a song that inspired countless freedom fighters to sacrifice everything for the nation. Bansal added, “Through ‘Vande Mataram,’ my soldier stands at the border, risking his life in temperatures ranging from -40 to -50 degrees. Millions of soldiers sing ‘Vande Mataram’ and dedicate everything to Mother India. It is inappropriate to discourage singing this song, especially just before Independence Day.”
Bansal referenced history, stating, “On August 15, 1947, at 6:30 AM, ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung in its entirety on All India Radio. If ‘Vande Mataram’ is not sung during the celebration of our independence, it would be seen as an insult to the brave soldiers who fought for our freedom. Where does this mindset come from? To label it as the RSS agenda is an insult to all our heroes.”
In a warning tone, Bansal said, “Vijayan should start practicing it. Soon, singing this song will become mandatory for him. If he continues to act against it, he will find himself in jail along with his supporters. He should not prioritize his political agenda over the nation.”
He accused certain political parties in Kerala of spreading confusion regarding symbols of patriotism. “’Vande Mataram’ is not a slogan of any party or organization. It represents the sentiments of 1.3 billion Indians. Attempts to divide it are akin to weakening the country.”
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