‘Vande Mataram’ Was Not Fully Accepted For Years, Says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said some people did not accept ‘Vande Mataram’ wholeheartedly for years after India gained Independence and the country underwent Partition.

Speaking to Sashastra Seema Bal officers and personnel in Siliguri, Darjeeling, Shah said the song was sung in Parliament, where everyone stood. He further regretted that its complete version was not performed.

Shah recalled the 80th Independence Day celebrations. He said this year marked the first occasion when the entire Vande Mataram was sung during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Minister said he had attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremonies there since 2015.

Shah described Vande Mataram as a unique creation by Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

According to Shah, the song strengthened the freedom movement and presented a vision of independent India.

During his Siliguri visit, Shah laid foundation stones for several SSB projects and interacted with its personnel. He praised Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for accelerating land allocation for border fencing. Shah said the state government had already allotted 1,129 acres.

The Minister claimed the previous government, led by Mamata Banerjee, had repeatedly ignored his requests for land.

Shah said the Centre sought the land for national security, not for the BJP. He remembered the shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan on his death anniversary.

Shah recalled Khan’s response when asked about his happiest performances.

The maestro said he found the greatest joy playing the shehnai beside the Ganga in the morning, in the presence of Kashi Vishwanath.

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