Bengaluru: Actor Kishore Kumar has raised sharp concern over what he describes as the political misuse of the national song Vande Mataram. In a detailed social media post, he said the slogan once united people during the freedom struggle, but is now being used to divide communities, especially Muslims. He shared an image of the prime minister speaking in Parliament and described a shift where words once linked with warmth are turning into tools of hostility.
Kishore said groups with no link to the freedom movement are now trying to take ownership of symbols created by those who fought for independence. He said this effort sidelines the values attached to the national song. He expressed worry that the new approach fuels distrust between communities for partisan goals.
He also listed several issues that he believes the government has ignored. He pointed to the value of the rupee, the condition of the economy, pressure on democratic institutions, and what he called false claims about economic growth. He added that farmers continue to wait for fulfilled promises. He said healthcare gaps and unemployment still worry people. He referred to the situations in Manipur and Ladakh and said the arrests of scholars and scientists raise questions about the space for independent thought.
Kishore said the ruling establishment has shown no clear plan to address these concerns. He said those in power try to rely on polarisation instead of public welfare. His remarks add to a growing debate on the political use of cultural symbols and the effect this has on India’s Muslims.
