PM Narendra Modi (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Raising the nationalism bar higher, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took on his predecessor Manmohan Singh and others opposing the raising of ‘ Vande Mataram ’ and ‘ Bharat Mata ki Jai ’ slogans and said it was painful to see continuing resistance to chants dedicated to the motherland.

Referring to Singh’s recent criticism of what he called the misuse of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ slogans, Modi said, “It is strange and sad that a former prime minister sniffs foul play even in a slogan like 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and looks at it with suspicion.”

At a recent event, Singh had said the slogan of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' was being misused to construct a “militant and purely emotional” idea of India that excluded millions of citizens.

Addressing the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Modi said he was aghast to see opposition to ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ even after 70 years of freedom. “Singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ used to be opposed before independence but it is painful to see people having quarrel with chants dedicated to the motherland even 70 years after the country became free,” a source quoted the PM as telling BJP MPs.

“In the closed-door meetings of Congress, similar controversies were created over 'Vande Mataram' during the freedom struggle and singing it was adjudged to be a ‘gunah’ (crime) with many people choosing to leave meetings of the Congress when it was played,” the source quoted the PM as saying.

“It is unfortunate and sad that 70 years after independence, raising a slogan like 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' is being depicted as a crime... It is equally unfortunate that a person who held the post of prime minister is saying so,” Modi said and added that such a view would disappoint and hurt any citizen of the country.

The PM’s remarks acquire significance also in that they come against the backdrop of the anti-CAA protesters displaying the national flag at their sit-ins — something which has been interpreted as an attempt to weaken BJP’s hold over the “nationalism” plank.

Modi’s speech is an indication that BJP is not just unwilling to let others freely grab a slice of its plank. It marked a challenge to opponents to take the game to a level where it would be uncomfortable. The opposition is not enthusiastic about Vande Mataram out of respect to the sensibilities of Muslims. The minority community has been opposed to the singing of Vande Mataram — the popular anthem of the the freedom struggle — on the ground that it represents idolatry. The community also did not warm up to Bharat Mata ki Jai for the same reason.

The resistance was one of the main reasons why Jana Gana Mana and not Vande Mataram was selected as the national anthem. Though the lines from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya ’s iconic Anand Math were consecrated as the national song, the post-independence phase saw its progressive diminution.

For the BJP, Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai have been an integral part of its imagination of nationhood. Under Modi, the two symbols loom even larger, with the PM beginning his speeches with Bharat Mata ki Jai. His rallies are marked by full-throated invocations of Vande Mataram.

In his first public meeting after the enactment of the CAA , Modi had noted the use of the national flag in protests against the new citizenship law to say that he expected the heartening spectacle to be followed through by similar respect for national symbols in all situations.

Addressing BJP MPs, Modi suggested that the opposition to Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai had cast a greater responsibility on BJP workers. “There are some parties for whom political interests are supreme but for us national interest is of utmost importance,” the PM said, adding that some forces were working to destabilise the country, which should be countered with the same strength.

“It is unfortunate that the country has been divided in two sides of ‘desh hit’ (nation’s interest) and ‘dal hit’ (party’s interest). However, we BJP workers will have to strive for the nation and make it a winner,” Modi said, adding such a commitment to the nation can be fulfilled only with complete dedication.

Quoting the PM, parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said, “Vikas (development) is our mantra and peace, harmony and unity are prerequisites for the country's development. We should not merely speak about it but take the lead in ensuring peace, harmony and unity.”

