Vande Mataram
M. K. Gandhi
‘Vande Mataram.’ That was no religious cry. It was a purely political cry. The Congress had to examine it. A reference was made to Gurudev about it. And, both the Hindu and the Muslim members of the Congress. Working Committee had to come to the conclusion that its opening lines were free from any possible objection. It should be sung together by all on due occasion. It should never be a chant to insult or offend the Muslims. It was to be remembered that it was the cry that had fired political Bengal. Many Bengalis had given up their lives for political freedom with that cry on their lips. He felt strongly about ‘Vande Mataram’ as an Ode to Mother India…. ‘Vande Mataram’, the national song and the national cry of Bengal which sustained her when the rest of India was almost asleep and which was, as far as he was aware, acclaimed by both the Hindus and the Muslims of Bengal.
(Extract from post-prayer speech at Deshbandhu Park, Calcutta—22nd August 1947).
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There should be one universal notation for ‘Vande Mataram’; if it was to stir millions, it must be sung by millions in one tune and one mode. (Extract from speech at Calcutta—29th August 1947).
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What I have said about the flag applies mutatis mutandis to the singing of Vande Mataram. No matter what its source was and how and when it was composed, it had become a most powerful battle cry among Hindus and Mussalmans of Bengal during the partition days. It was an anti-imperialist cry. As a lad, when I knew nothing of Anandamath or even Bankim, its immortal author, Vande Mataram had gripped me, and when 1 first heard it sung it had enthralled me. I associated the purest national spirit with it. It never occurred to me that it was a Hindu song or meant only for Hindus. Unfortunately now we have fallen on evil days. All that was pure gold before has become base metal today. In such times it is wisdom not to market pure gold and let it be sold as base metal. I would not risk a single quarrel over singing Vande Mataram, at a mixed gathering. It will never suffer from disuse. It is enthroned in the hearts of millions. It stirs to its depth the patriotism of millions in and outside Bengal. Its chosen stanzas are Bengal’s gift among many others to the whole nation. The flag and the song will live as long as the nation lasts.