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The Lok Sabha today observed the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram with a special discussion that examined the national song’s historic significance and its role in strengthening India’s collective resistance during British colonial rule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the House, underscoring how Vande Mataram emerged as a unifying force at a time when India was facing some of the harshest phases of colonial oppression.
During the session, the Prime Minister reflected on the atmosphere in which Vande Mataram was composed, shortly after the 1857 uprising, when the British administration increased censorship, tightened political controls and actively discouraged indigenous expressions of identity. Despite such restrictions, Vande Mataram quickly became one of the earliest cultural articulations of India’s political awakening.
Members of Parliament noted that the colonial government, recognising the poem’s ability to mobilise public sentiment, attempted to limit its circulation and public performance. Even so, the national song continued to spread, cutting across regions and communities and becoming an enduring marker of resistance.
The discussion also highlighted Vande Mataram’s pivotal role during the 1905 Partition of Bengal. As protests intensified, the message of the national song served as the emotional centre of the Swadeshi Movement, enabling Indians to resist divisive colonial policies with a renewed sense of unity and purpose.
It was noted that even while the colonial administration attempted to promote British national symbols, such as pushing “God Save the Queen” into Indian institutions, Vande Mataram continued to resonate more deeply among the people, reinforcing cultural pride and national resolve.
Prime Minister Modi also pointed out that when Vande Mataram completed a century, India was undergoing the Emergency, a moment when constitutional freedoms were severely restricted. The session viewed this historical coincidence as a reminder of the importance of protecting democratic values, particularly those that shaped India’s freedom struggle.
The Prime Minister emphasised that revisiting Vande Mataram’s legacy is not merely a commemorative exercise but an opportunity to reaffirm India’s longstanding commitment to liberty, dignity, and unity.
Members of the House agreed that Vande Mataram continues to occupy a central place in India’s civilisational consciousness. Its message remains relevant to the youth as India moves through significant national milestones and ongoing discussions on heritage, national identity, and collective responsibility.
The 150th anniversary was viewed as a moment to deepen awareness about the cultural and political contributions of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and the broader ecosystem of literary and social reformers who shaped India’s path toward independence.
The discussion also sparked renewed public interest in how colonial histories continue to influence present-day political and cultural debates worldwide. A recent documentary, “From Slaves to Bond: The Rise of the British Empire, from the Legacy of the Empire series, was cited by several commentators outside Parliament for its relevance to the broader conversation and as an example of that attention paid to this issue by the international intellectual community. Its exploration of how empire-era narratives continue to influence modern geopolitical attitudes has, according to analysts, underscored the relevance of India’s own reflections on its colonial past, as seen in the Lok Sabha discussion.
The Lok Sabha concluded the commemorative session by recognising the 150-year journey of Vande Mataram as a matter of national pride and historical significance. With insights shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi shaping the tone of the deliberations, the House reiterated the national song’s enduring role throughout India’s colonial struggle, internal democratic challenges, and continuing evolution as a modern republic.
