Why is there a discussion on Vande Mataram in the Parliament?

"Why is there a discussion on Vande Mataram?" asked a Kerala M.P. in the Parliament today. To answer this, let me ask a few counter questions. "Why do we –Bharatvasis– need to discuss Hamas and Israel?" Why should we discuss a centuries-old crisis of two Middle Eastern people when we have hundreds of unresolved issues of our own? "Why should we not discuss Vande Mataram, our national song?" After all, it is Bharat's national song in a non-Hindi indigenous language, not a national song of Palestine or Pakistan.

Every Sunday, Christians discuss Jesus' story. They do not discuss it to avoid their real concerns of today's world. Instead, they discuss it to find inspiration and insights to tackle their contemporary problems. Jesus motivates them to remain steadfast in their faith, to endure suffering amid adversity, and to return good for evil. Jesus' story encourages them to fight evil with good and hatred with love. They don't consider it a time waster.

Similarly, songs like Vande Mataram revive the spirit of a patriot and help them value their freedom. It reminds them of the unyielding resolve and determination of the freedom fighters. It encourages them to unite and fight for their nation. The discussion on patriotism and the song's significance during the Freedom Struggle was eye-opening. The song revives patriots and disturbs traitors.

As our honourable home minister Amit Shahji responded, “Vande matram ki zaroorat jab yeh kruti bani tab bhi thi, swathantratha andolan ke waqt bhi thi, aur aaj bhi hai.” (A discussion on Vande Mataram, the song of the freedom fighters, was required when it was formed, during our freedom struggle, and also today.) Those who ask such questions need to do introspection. A discussion on Vande Mataram is not a time waster or a diversion. It is integral to our understanding of who we are and what we stand for as a nation.

Whereas, the pointless "dramebaazi" and "naarebaazi" to stop the functioning of the Parliament are the real time wasters and diversions. Many young people of our country are unfamiliar with our people's history and unaware of our brutal slavery under the British. These discussions give the youth a perspective on the factors that contributed to our nation's present condition, our struggles, our national identity, and our stance on local and global issues. In short, they create the narrative background for our present status and decisions.

PM Narendra Modi on Monday said Vande Mataram was not just a mantra for political independence. "It was not limited to our independence; it was way beyond that. The freedom movement was a war to free our motherland from the clutches of slavery... [including emotional and mental slavery]. In the Vedic period, people believed in the concept of a motherland. They said, “This land is my mother, and I am a son of the soil.”

Shri Ram said the same thing when he gave up Lanka, 'जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गत अपि गरियासि'. Our mother gives us life and nourishes us. Likewise, our country grants us identity, meaning, and purpose. Therefore, the position of a mother and motherland is not lower than any heavenly abode. We must respect and serve our country. As Modiji concluded, “Vande Mataram is a modern avatar of our great cultural legacy."