THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
The debate surrounding Vande Mataram is rooted in the song’s complex literary origins, its political evolution during the Indian freedom struggle, and the foundational principles of Sikh theology.
Historical Origins: From Poem to Political Anthem
Written in the 1870s by Bengali writer Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Vande Mataram (“I bow to thee, Mother”) was later incorporated into his 1882 political novel Anandamath. Set against the backdrop of the 18th-century Sannyasi Rebellion against British tax collectors and local rulers, the novel framed the liberation of the motherland in religious terms.
The poem itself unfolds in two distinct sections:
(1) The First Two Stanzas
Written in smooth Sanskrit, these lines focus entirely on nature praising the motherland’s fertility, lush streams, cool breezes, and bountiful fields
(2) The Later Stanzas
The text shifts to a blend of Sanskrit and Bengali, explicitly identifying the nation-mother as Hindu goddesses (“Thou art Durga, holding her ten weapons of war… Thou art Kamala, lotus-throned”).
During the 1905 anti-partition movement in Bengal, Vande Mataram transformed into a powerful rallying cry against British colonial rule, sung at political rallies, strikes, and revolutionary gatherings across northern India.
The Historical Controversy: The 1937 Congress Compromise
As the Indian National Congress sought to build a broad anti-colonial coalition during the 1930s, the religious symbolism of the song’s later stanzas became a key point of discussion among non-Hindu communities, including Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians.
To reconcile patriotic fervor with pluralism, the Congress Working Committee formed a committee in 1937, to review the song. It was noted that while the poem possessed immense literary beauty, its later verses explicitly invoked Hindu deity worship, which could conflict with monotheistic faiths.
Consequently, Congress adopted a clear policy: only the first two non-religious stanzas would be sung at national gatherings, ensuring that participation remained inclusive while honoring the song’s role in the freedom struggle.
When Constituent Assembly President Dr. Rajendra Prasad declared Vande Mataram the National Song in 1950, it was understood to be held in equal honor with the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana), but without legal penalties for non-recitation.
The Sikh Perspective
The opposition voiced by Sikh groups like the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) stems from core tenets of Sikh scripture rather than political opportunism:
(1) Ik Onkar (Monotheism)
Sikhism strictly commands the worship of one formless, timeless Creator (Ik Onkar). The faith explicitly rejects idol worship, the deification of physical objects, and the personification of the Divine into human or geographic forms.
(2) Reverence vs. Worship
While Sikhs reverence their motherland and have a long history of military sacrifice for the country, bowing down to or deifying a landmass as a goddess directly conflicts with Gurbani.
(3) Resistance to Assimilation
For minority religions in India, mandatory adoption of iconography drawn from majoritarian traditions is seen as an attempt to dilute their distinct religious identity.
Why the Opposition Resurfaced
Sikh groups were not previously “asleep” as some have raised ” why now”. Actually, the legal framework governing national symbols has shifted.
For decades, reciting Vande Mataram was a voluntary act of civic participation. However, recent central government legislative initiatives to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 aim to grant the National Song the same strict statutory protections as the National Anthem, potentially penalizing non-compliance or refusal to sing.
This transition from voluntary national reverence to potential legal compulsion is what prompted Sikh religious and political bodies to lodge formal objections with the Akal Takht, seeking a clear theological directive to protect religious freedom under Article 25 of the Constitution.
References
1.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/sad-a-urges-akal-takht-to-block-vande-mataram-move/articleshow/131022468.cms?hl=en-
2.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/centre-plans-tough-law-to-criminalise-insults-or-disruption-of-vande-mataram-during-events/videoshow/132452389.cms?hl=en-
3.https://youtu.be/hjnz5UlefDk?si=JcJ8oE_oKG3irbfq
4.https://youtu.be/hjnz5UlefDk?si=VoCyAv7qC3AVZURS
