Song :-Vande Mataram
Status :-National Song of India
Language :-Bangala
Composer : Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (BCC)
Composed on :1876
Published on :1882 in “Anandamatha” authored by BankimChandra Chaterjee
Controversial Refrences:-
Refrence to “shakti” Diety with 70 million hands ( defenitly durga)
Facts
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Rabindranath Tagore’s rejection of the song in his letter to Subhas Chandra Bose (1937)–“””””The core of ‘Vande Mataram’ is a hymn to goddess Durga””””””..Defenily anyone practising Islam would not want to relate a deity with 70 million hands to motherland.
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Jawaharlal Nehru, apparently after seeking opinion of Rabindranath Tagore in 1937, made the Congress party sign a mandate that “only the first two stanzas should be sung”. Sure, for rest of the song had direct references to goddess Durga and Kali.
What happened during 22-28 August 2006:
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Arjun Singh had all state governments to ensure that the first two stanzas of the song were sung in all schools on Sept-7 BJP
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Deputy Leader V K Malhotra wanted the Government to clarify whether singing the national song schools was mandatory or not.
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The BJP has objected to the (United Progressive Alliance)UPA government’s decision to make singing of the song, optional.
The way I see it:-
The “Optional-Compulsory” has been debetaed over and over again durind the 1930’s. Similar protests were raised by people practising Islam regarding the refrences made to Godess Kali/Durga. Paying homage to a deity other than Allah is not acceptable in Islam. Its for the very reason, respecting their sentiments Mr.Neheru issued a mandate stating “only the first two stanzas should be sung”.
When seen from the perspective of the poet(BCC), who was a Hindu from Bengal where Goddess Durga-Kali is the presiding deity, and an active member in the freedom movement… its only natural that he placed the motherland in the same pedestal as that of the deity whom he worshipped with such a reverence. Lets not forget that this song was written at a time when just a mention of “Vande Mataram” would result in jail-term.
Nevertheless, many went to jail ( including people from Islam) for uttering Vande Mataram. Well.. during those time they were more worried about initaiating a freedom movement for our country rather than dissecting the meaning of the song and worry about its religious overtones.
The first two stanzas speak about resepcting one’s Motherland and worshipping nature.
I belive singing 1-2 stanzas must be ok with our Islamic brethren
Nowhere I remember seeing that “Entire song must be sung”.
so whats all the fuss about..???…???? Lets have sane-rational discusion here without provoking any abusive behaviour(I know i am treading on thin ice)
If you feel that I have furnished incorrect information .. Please include the correct details in your comment
I am willing to apologize incase i have hurt your religious sentiments.
At the end of the day, I agree with what you have said. However, the first two stanzas alone could never be a song. Anyways, lets put this issue behind now as it has almost (and for good) become stale.
Regards
Vijay
have u ever thot as to what made Bakimchandra Chatterjee to compose this song? Bande Mataram (in bengali) was the slogan that was used by the Saints in the Sanyasin movement of the 1770’s. And the facts regarding tht hv been destroyed by the britishers.. I’l advice u to watch the movie ANAND MATH.
One more point I want to raise is.. what if Hindus of Bangladesh or pakistan or ne other muslim country oppose reciting their national anthem ? will they be treated in the same way as the muslims here are treated?
Mahfuz:-
yes.. first 2 stanzas can never be sung alone.. but thats the adjustment ( in my opinion).lets all hope as u say that”let his matter now rest”
Deepak:-
right question at the right time deepak.. thats where the maganimity of indians comes.Well our magnanimous nature is misinterpreted as cowardice
hi deepa thanks for writing the first comment in my blog ‘A thinker’.
The name is Bankim chandra Chattopadhay only. but, British people unable to utter that word used chatterjee.
thanks once again