Tripura Animal Resources Development Minister Sudhanshu Das has criticised the Congress over its position on Vande Mataram, accusing the party of moving away from India’s cultural heritage and practising “appeasement and vote-bank politics.”
Speaking to ANI, Das described Vande Mataram as more than a song, saying it played an important role in India’s freedom struggle.
“It is a matter of great concern that today the Congress Party is rejecting and opposing the song Vande Mataram. This is certainly shameful,” Das said.
‘Vande Mataram’ Is More Than a Song
Das recalled that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Vande Mataram in 1875 and later included it in his 1882 novel Anandamath. He also referred to Rabindranath Tagore’s association with the song and its role in the freedom movement.
According to Das, the song became a powerful source of patriotic inspiration during the struggle against British rule.
“We consider the soil of this country to be our mother, and all those who live on this soil are her children. Therefore, we deeply respect and revere Vande Mataram,” he said.
Congress Compared to Muslim League
The Tripura minister also referred to historical opposition to Vande Mataram by the Muslim League and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, arguing that references to the motherland in divine terms had been viewed as inconsistent with some religious beliefs.
He accused the Congress of adopting a similar approach for political reasons and alleged that its current position reflected “minority appeasement and vote-bank politics.”
Das went further and said Congress “has become like the Muslim League.”
Appeal to Congress Supporters
The BJP leader directly appealed to Sanatani Hindus and nationalist sections associated with the Congress to reconsider their political affiliation.
“If you have love for your religion, your culture and your nation in your hearts, and if you respect our history and traditions, then you should reconsider your association with the Congress Party,” he said.
Referring to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, Das urged those who value India’s history and cultural traditions to oppose the party’s position on Vande Mataram.
He also called on young people to reject what he described as politics that disrespects India’s cultural heritage.
The remarks come amid an ongoing political debate over Vande Mataram, including the Congress decision to follow its 1937 position of singing only the first two stanzas at party events.
