Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked memories of the Emergency (1975) while commemorating the 150th year of Vande Mataram in Parliament on Monday.
Describing the patriotic hymn as a guiding force of India’s freedom struggle, he highlighted its enduring symbolism of resilience against oppression.
As PM Modi entered the Lok Sabha, ruling party members broke into slogans of ‘Vande Mataram’, setting a celebratory tone for the historic occasion.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the event was not merely ceremonial but a moment to reflect on India’s democratic journey.
“We all have this great fortune in this House. On this historic occasion, we are witnessing a moment that brings to light the heart of history,” PM Modi said, urging parliamentarians to view the discussion as an educational opportunity for future generations.
He recalled the sacrifices of freedom fighters and contrasted them with the trials faced during the Emergency.
PM Modi specifically highlighted that Vande Mataram had marked its 100th year. He added that, at that time, the country was under the shackles of the Emergency.
“The Constitution was strangled, and patriots were jailed,” he noted, describing the period as a ‘dark calamity’ in India’s democratic history.
Treasury benches erupted with slogans of ‘Shame, shame, shame’, underscoring the nation’s collective memory of those years.
Linking History with Contemporary Milestones
The Prime Minister connected the commemoration with other significant milestones observed this year, including the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Patel and Birsa Munda and the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur.
He emphasised that these anniversaries reflect the spirit of sacrifice and unity that shaped India’s destiny.
PM Modi declared that Vande Mataram’s 150th journey had passed through many stages and urged Parliament and the nation to restore pride in this historic chapter.
He asserted that no one should allow this to happen again and stressed that Vande Mataram energized freedom fighters and guided India’s independence leaders.
The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming that the commemoration was not only a tribute to history but also a reaffirmation of India’s democratic spirit.
He further added that it ensures the lessons from the past continue to shape the future.
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