New Delhi: DMK MP A Raja told the Lok Sabha that historical records show Vande Mataram was used in ways that excluded Muslims during the freedom movement. He cited documents and expert opinions to argue that the song’s early political use created tension in mixed communities.
Raja said Prime Minister Narendra Modi often refers to appeasement. He asked why concerns raised by Muslims about Vande Mataram are framed as appeasement when the divisions were created by groups that promoted the song. Raja quoted Mahatma Gandhi, who praised the song in 1915, then advised restraint in 1940 so Muslims would not feel targeted. He said a major shift took place in that period.
Raja said the Anusheelan Samiti, a revolutionary group that popularised Vande Mataram, did not admit Muslims. He referred to British records that showed the group described its vows as sacred to Hindus. He said this shows how the song was positioned by some groups in a religious context.
He added that between 1905 and 1908, Hindu processions in Bengal chanted Vande Mataram while passing mosques. He said this is recorded in home department notes and created hostility. According to him, pamphlets circulated in 1907 told Muslims not to sing the song or join the Swadeshi movement. He said similar incidents were reported until 1915.
Raja cited debates in the British House of Commons on why the song triggered communal conflict. He quoted historian Tanika Sarkar’s reading of Anand Math, the novel that contains the song. He said passages in the book describe hostility toward Muslims and frame national identity in religious terms.
He said some stanzas were used against both British rule and Muslims. Raja quoted historian R C Majumdar who wrote that Bankim Chandra saw religion and patriotism as linked.
