150 Years of Vande Mataram : A song of unity and debate

The iconic song "Vande Mataram," penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875, has completed 150 years. This significant milestone highlights the song's enduring impact on India's history and its continued relevance in contemporary times.

Written in Sanskrit and Bengali, Vande Mataram became a powerful anthem for India's independence movement. The song's lyrics, which praise the glory of the motherland, resonated with the Indian masses and inspired a generation of freedom fighters.

During the 1905 anti-Bengal partition movement, Vande Mataram emerged as a rallying cry, symbolizing the spirit of nationalism and resistance against British rule. The song gained further prominence after its publication in Chattopadhyay's novel Anandamath in 1882.

The Indian National Congress later adopted Vande Mataram as a song to be sung at the start of each session. However, controversy arose in 1923 when Maulana Mohammad Ali, the president of the Congress session in Kakinada, refused to have the song sung due to Islamic prohibitions on singing.

To resolve the issue, the Congress leadership, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, decided to adopt only the first two stanzas of the song. This decision paved the way for Vande Mataram's continued relevance in Indian politics.

On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly recognized Vande Mataram as the national song, distinguishing it from the national anthem. Despite this recognition, the song remains a topic of debate, with some Muslim representatives objecting to its depiction of the motherland as a goddess.

Historians credit Vande Mataram with inspiring Indians during the freedom struggle, and it continues to be a powerful symbol of patriotism. As India celebrates 150 years of this iconic song, its legacy serves as a reminder of the country's rich cultural heritage and the ongoing quest for unity and national identity.