BJP MLA from Naihati and direct descendant of Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Sumitro Chatterjee, has written to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, expressing deep anguish over her insult to “Vande Mataram” at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day.
Sumitro Chatterjee, BJP MLA, and descendant of Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay has written to Sonia Gandhi expressing anguish over Vande Mataram controversy. pic.twitter.com/DqVkbIvJrW
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In his letter, Chatterjee said he was deeply hurt by Gandhi’s conduct when the complete version of “Vande Mataram” was being sung at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters on 15th August. He claimed that her gestures showed discomfort and that she made repeated attempts to stop the recitation.
For Chatterjee, the issue is personal as well as national. Describing himself as a direct descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who wrote “Vande Mataram”, he said the incident caused him “deep pain, emptiness and anguish” on a day when the country was remembering its freedom fighters and celebrating the 80th anniversary of Independence.
‘Vande Mataram’ and India’s freedom struggle
Chatterjee reminded Sonia Gandhi of the historic role played by “Vande Mataram” during India’s freedom movement. He referred to Sri Aurobindo’s writings, saying the song became a powerful mantra of patriotism and inspired generations of freedom fighters.
He also cited nationalist leader Bipin Chandra Pal, who wrote that after the Partition of Bengal, “Vande Mataram” was on the lips of revolutionaries. According to Chatterjee, “Swadeshi”, “Boycott” and “Vande Mataram” became closely connected with the nationalist movement.
The BJP MLA pointed to several historical occasions when the song became part of the freedom struggle. At the 1905 Banaras session of the Indian National Congress, Sarala Devi Chaudhurani sang its complete version. During Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s sedition trial in 1909, his supporters also raised “Vande Mataram” outside the court.
He further recalled the 1938 student movement at Osmania University in Hyderabad, where “Vande Mataram” became a major nationalist slogan despite the Nizam’s ban.
Recalls Tagore’s association
Chatterjee also highlighted Rabindranath Tagore’s connection with the song. He said Tagore sang “Vande Mataram” at the 1896 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in his own tune.
He also referred to the Congress’s decision in 1937, when objections raised by Mohammad Ali Jinnah resulted in the song being restricted to selected portions. Chatterjee said the history of that decision makes the Congress leadership’s present position even more significant.
Questions Congress over its own slogan
The Naihati MLA questioned the Congress leadership over what he described as a contradiction within the party. He pointed out that the slogan of the West Bengal Chhatra Parishad is “Mantra Moder Sanjeevan – Vande Mataram.”
Chatterjee asked why the Congress leadership should show discomfort towards a song that its own student organisation proudly uses as a slogan.
He also referred to the proceedings of Parliament on 13th August, when the Lok Sabha began with the complete six-stanza version of “Vande Mataram”. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha from the Congress were present during the occasion.
Chatterjee stressed that “Vande Mataram” does not belong to any political party. He said it is part of India’s collective memory and carries the legacy of Bankim Chandra and the sacrifices made by freedom fighters.
Demands apology from Sonia Gandhi
Chatterjee said the incident had deeply hurt the sentiments of people in West Bengal, particularly because of the state’s historical association with Bankim Chandra and “Vande Mataram”.
Calling it his moral responsibility as a descendant of Bankim Chandra, he urged Sonia Gandhi to reconsider her conduct and demanded an unconditional apology to the citizens of India, particularly the people of West Bengal.
The letter was also forwarded to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Chatterjee ended his letter by stressing that respecting “Vande Mataram” means respecting the history, patriotism and sacrifices associated with India’s freedom struggle.
