New Delhi— Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the spirit of the Constitution was “throttled” and the nation “chained” during the Emergency, recalling that Vande Mataram completed 100 years at a time when democratic freedoms were suppressed. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a day-long discussion to mark 150 years of the national song, he said the anthem of patriotism had stood firm against oppression from colonial rule to modern political challenges.
Modi said that when Vande Mataram reached its centenary, the Emergency cast a dark shadow over India, pushing those who lived for patriotism behind bars. He urged the House to use the current milestone as an opportunity to restore the song’s honour and legacy.
Calling Vande Mataram a mantra of courage and unity, the Prime Minister said it energised India’s freedom struggle and became a guiding force for those fighting British rule. He added that remembering the sacred hymn at 150 years was a “great privilege” for the nation.
Modi noted that the British government had once banned Vande Mataram because of its rising influence, even as it tried to enforce “God Save the Queen” in Indian households. He said Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote the song at a time of deep colonial repression following the 1857 uprising, giving Indians a powerful cultural response to British dominance.
The Prime Minister also said the song defied attempts to divide Bengal in 1905 and inspired unity during the Swadeshi movement. He observed that Bankim Chandra wrote Vande Mataram when it had become “fashionable to look down upon India”, and the song reminded Indians that the land is their mother.
Modi cited Mahatma Gandhi’s 1905 remark that Vande Mataram had become so popular that it felt like a national anthem. He questioned why such an iconic song later faced neglect and “betrayal”, pointing to the 1937 Congress session in Kolkata where compromises were allegedly made over its status.
He said the 150-year commemoration offers a moment to reflect on the song’s power and reaffirm the values it represents.
