TM Ziaul Haq The government held a special discussion in both houses of Parliament to mark the completion of 150 years of the creation of the national song 'Vande Mataram'. It is well-known that this song was written during the freedom struggle and became a source of inspiration and enthusiasm for the freedom fighters who fought against the British government. Before independence, this song was sung at Congress meetings, and after independence, the Constituent Assembly gave it the status of a national song. In such a scenario, it is natural to question the need for a discussion on this topic in Parliament. If the government had wanted, it could have organized a cultural, literary, or educational program on this occasion. However, instead of that, the valuable time of Parliament was spent on a topic on which there is already a national consensus, while the real and pressing issues of the country were ignored. This is a time when several controversies have emerged during the special scrutiny of voter lists, and dozens of people involved in the process have lost their lives. The economy is under constant pressure, and the rupee is setting new records for decline in the global market every day. Delhi and its surrounding areas are plagued by severe air pollution. There has been mismanagement at several airports, and a fire in Goa has claimed several lives. However, there was no serious discussion on these serious issues in Parliament, and the focus remained on 'Vande Mataram'. The fact is that after the electoral success in Bihar, the eyes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party are now on the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal. The political competition in Bengal is intense, and victory is not easy. Therefore, to create an emotional atmosphere, the sensitive and symbolic topic of 'Vande Mataram' was brought to the fore. It is no secret that Prime Minister Modi has a special skill in using national and religious symbols for political gain. Since 'Vande Mataram' was created on the soil of Bengal and its creator was Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the government hoped that through this discussion, it could prove itself to be the greatest patriot and protector of Bengali identity. However, this political move backfired in Parliament. During the discussion, Prime Minister Modi targeted Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress, but the opposition speakers came fully prepared. They responded to the government's claims with historical references and credible evidence. The opposition reminded that during the freedom struggle, the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha had supported the British government, while Congress workers were in jail and making sacrifices. It was also clarified that the decision to recognize only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' as the national song was not made by any individual but by a committee that included Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and other prominent personalities. Furthermore, at one time, the British government had banned the slogan of 'Vande Mataram', and punishments were given for this offense. From here, the discussion did not remain limited to politics but took on a constitutional and historical shape. The controversial issue is not new, and its roots are spread over centuries of history. However, the way it is being presented in the current era is not only against historical awareness but also contradicts constitutional understanding. Unfortunately, this sensitive topic has been given an emotional color, and the possibility of a serious dialogue has been eliminated. The history of India is a shining example of religious and cultural diversity. Different beliefs, languages, and cultures have together formed the identity of this country. However, when history is used for political gain, it does not remain a means of knowledge and awareness but becomes a tool to divide society. From a constitutional perspective, the Constitution of India guarantees equality, religious freedom, and fundamental rights to every citizen. The Supreme Court has repeatedly clarified that any historical or religious claim will be decided on the basis of evidence, testimony, and law, not on political slogans or majority pressure. Despite this, the issue is repeatedly taken out of the courts and brought to the streets and rallies, where emotions dominate reason. Historically, it is also a fact that there are differences among various historians. History is not the name of a single opinion or narrative but a collection of different sources and perspectives. However, through the media and politics, a particular narrative has been spread in such a way that the public has accepted it as the ultimate truth. The real problem is that instead of resolving this controversy, it has been beneficial for political parties to keep it alive. Every election season, this issue emerges, heats up the atmosphere, and then subsides, but the cracks it creates in society remain. These cracks have damaged both communal harmony and constitutional values. In the end, it can be said that this entire discussion did not yield any significant benefit for the government. Instead, the opposition, through historical and constitutional arguments, put the government in a difficult position. In common language, it can be said that the gamble that was thought out ultimately backfired. In other words, the gamble on 'Vande Mataram' has backfired on the Modi government.
