Political Flashpoint: Priyanka Gandhi Calls ‘Vande Mataram’ Debate a ‘Distraction’ from Real Issues
Congress Leader Accuses Government of Evading Price Rise and Unemployment, Alleging Debate is Timed for Upcoming West Bengal Elections
Gandhi Assails Debate as Diversionary Tactic
Congress Member of Parliament (MP), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, launched a sharp attack on the government yesterday during the special discussion in the Lok Sabha marking the 150th anniversary of the national song, ‘Vande Mataram.’ She fiercely contended that the debate was a deliberate “distraction from burning issues” and accused the ruling party of attempting to divert the nation’s attention from pressing economic problems like unemployment and price rise.
“Why are we having a debate on a song that has lived in the soul of the country for 150 years?” Gandhi questioned the need for the parliamentary discussion. She asserted that the song is “sacred” and deeply revered by the public, making any debate on its status unnecessary. She urged the House to utilize its valuable time to focus on the problems facing the country’s citizens, suggesting, “Let’s assign a time for a discussion on today’s issues—price rise and unemployment.”
Bengal Elections and Historical ‘Chronology’ Jab
Priyanka Gandhi also alleged that the debate had two primary objectives: first, to create political mileage in the run-up to the approaching West Bengal Assembly elections, and second, to launch fresh accusations against past leaders who fought for India’s freedom. The debate followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier remarks accusing the Congress party of compromising on ‘Vande Mataram’ under pressure from communal forces in 1937, which he claimed led to the fragmentation of the song and contributed to the seeds of Partition.
In a strong rebuttal, Gandhi challenged the Prime Minister’s historical account, urging him to “understand the real Vande Mataram chronology.” She defended the decision to adopt the first two stanzas as the National Song, citing the wisdom of the Constituent Assembly members, including Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. She further accused the Prime Minister of “selectively quoting” from letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru to Subhas Chandra Bose, arguing that Nehru’s full context showed he believed the outcry against the song was “manufactured by communalists.”
Focus on Present and Future Responsibility
The Congress MP concluded her address by challenging the government’s priorities. She stated that the opposition was dedicated to the country and would continue to fight for the people’s issues, contrasting the government’s focus on the past and political controversies. Gandhi’s speech was framed as a defence of the legacies of freedom fighters and a call for Parliament to return its focus to its constitutional mandate: solving the economic and social challenges of the present day. Her forceful intervention marked a significant point in the political sparring that has defined the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.