Full rendition of Vande Mataram should face no objection: Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday underscored the unifying power of Vande Mataram, emphasising that the national song should be sung in its entirety with conviction and clarity. Addressing the organisation's annual Vijayadashmi gathering, Bhagwat asserted that there should be no reluctance or opposition to performing the complete rendition, citing its historical significance in India's independence struggle.

Bhagwat linked Vande Mataram's emergence as a rallying cry to the period when British Viceroy Lord Curzon attempted to partition Bengal along communal lines. The RSS chief noted that the song became a powerful instrument of social cohesion when Hindus and Muslims united against the divisive colonial strategy, ultimately compelling the British administration to abandon the partition plan.

"It is our national song, and there should be no hesitation or objection to sing it in its entirety, with pride and in a loud, clear voice," Bhagwat said. He stressed that Vande Mataram continues to serve as an enduring source of inspiration for national unity in contemporary India, reinforcing its relevance beyond its historical context.

The RSS chief's remarks come as part of broader discussions on national symbols and their role in fostering social cohesion. By invoking the song's historical power to bridge communal divides, Bhagwat sought to position Vande Mataram as a unifying force essential to India's identity and collective consciousness.