New Delhi [India], August 22 (ANI): At its National Office Bearers meeting on Saturday, the BJP passed a resolution condemning the Congress Working Committee's decision to sing only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram', while the main Opposition party slammed the BJP for using nationalism to hide its "failures."
The party also announced the nationwide 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' from September 17 to commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years of public life.
The BJP said it considers 'Vande Mataram' as India's National Song, an expression of reverence for Bharat Mata, a mantra of the freedom struggle and an immortal symbol of India's national consciousness. The party announced that it would launch a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the history and significance of the National Song.
BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, while addressing the media, shared details of the first National Office Bearers meeting held after the formation of the party's new team under BJP president Nitin Nabin, as well as the workshop organised on the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'.
As per the party's press note, Tawde said the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' will be conducted across the country from September 17 to October 17 with the objective of taking the spirit of service demonstrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 25 years of public life to every section of society.
Under the campaign, various service activities, programmes to connect beneficiaries with government schemes and initiatives to engage youth in service and innovation will be organised.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the BJP's organisational meeting and interacted with members of the party.
"Organisational meetings are all about new ideas and perspectives aimed at strengthening the Party and deepening connect with the people. Great interaction with fellow Party colleagues and the new organisational team!" PM Modi said in a post on X.
Speaking on the resolution against the Congress' stance on 'Vande Mataram', Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the BJP had passed the resolution under the leadership of Nitin Nabin to uphold the "honour, dignity and complete legacy" of the National Song.
"Under the leadership of BJP National President Nitin Nabin, BJP has passed an important resolution to uphold the honour, dignity and complete legacy of Vande Mataram. The resolution strongly condemns the Congress Working Committee's decision to reaffirm its 1937 resolution restricting Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at Congress programmes," Rijiju said.
"Vande Mataram, in its complete form, is an immortal symbol of our freedom struggle and Bharat's national consciousness. Its honour and legacy can never be compromised for political convenience or appeasement," he added.
The BJP's resolution drew sharp criticism from Congress leaders, who accused the ruling party of using the issue for political purposes.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJP was calling those who did not sing 'Vande Mataram' traitors, while accusing the BJP of having remained on the side of British rule during the freedom struggle.
"They claim that anyone who doesn't sing 'Vande Mataram' is a traitor. They are the ones who are actually traitors; after all, they wanted to remain slaves to the British, whereas we were the ones who liberated them from that servitude. We are the ones who brought independence," Kharge said.
Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that the government was using nationalism to divert attention from other issues.
"The government is using nationalism to hide its failures. They are also trying to divert attention from other issues. Congress never opposed Vande Mataram. They are doing unnecessary politics," Patole said.
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan also slammed BJP over the issue, saying that the resolution will only stay within the party and accused them of politicising "patriotism" and Vande Mataram.
"These resolutions will remain within the BJP. You can pass as many resolutions as you like and claim you will take them across the country, but people are no longer listening. The public, the youth and women, are tired of inflation, unemployment and unfulfilled promises. You have not delivered what you promised. Now you are trying to politicise patriotism and Vande Mataram, but the country will not accept it," said Ranjeet Ranjan.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised the BJP's focus on the National Song, saying the party should instead address issues concerning unemployment, inflation and other challenges facing the country.
"There are so many issues facing the nation, yet you want to keep the 'Vande Mataram' issue at the forefront because you believe it will yield political gain. If you go to the public and talk about 'Vande Mataram' while ordinary citizens are grappling with the burden of inflation, they will tell you to focus on their priorities and discuss those instead," Chaturvedi said.
Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale backed the BJP's position and said 'Vande Mataram' had played an important role during the freedom struggle.
"Vande Mataram gave the country its freedom. Our agitators used to take to the field with the slogan of 'Vande Mataram'. However, the Congress party is insulting it. The Modi government has taken a very good decision," Athawale said.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh also hit out at the Congress, alleging that 'Vande Mataram' was altered in 1937 for political considerations.
"Vande Mataram was altered in 1937 for the sake of votes under pressure from Jinnah. Prime Minister Modi pursues the country's development alongside its heritage; he stated that there wouldn't be just two stanzas but six, because India's identity cannot exist without Sanatan," Singh said.
He also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of attempting to divert attention from the issue.
The meeting assumes significance as it was the first National Office Bearers meeting after the BJP's organisational overhaul and the formation of a new team under Nitin Nabin. (ANI)
BJP slams CWC's decision to sing only 2 stanzas of 'Vande Mataram'; Congress says ruling party using nationalism to hide its "failures"
