Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday rejected Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s allegation that the NDA government initiated a special discussion on Vande Mataram with an eye on the upcoming West Bengal elections. He said linking the national song with electoral politics was “unfortunate” and showed a lack of understanding of its historic significance.

Without naming Priyanka Gandhi, Shah said some MPs were questioning the very need for a discussion marking 150 years of Vande Mataram. Such a debate, he argued, was relevant when Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote it, when India achieved Independence, today, and even in 2047. He added that those who “cannot understand why Vande Mataram is being discussed” must introspect.

Shah emphasised that although Bankim Chandra was from Bengal, Vande Mataram transcended geography. Freedom fighters across the world used it as a unifying cry, and even today, soldiers laying down their lives often do so with Vande Mataram on their lips.

Responding to Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks that the government was using the debate to divert attention from pressing issues, Shah said the NDA never shies away from discussions. “We don’t boycott Parliament. If the Opposition allows the House to function, we are ready for debate on every issue,” he asserted.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday rejected Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s allegation that the NDA government initiated a special discussion on Vande Mataram with an eye on the upcoming West Bengal elections. He said linking the national song with electoral politics was “unfortunate” and showed a lack of understanding of its historic significance.

Without naming Priyanka Gandhi, Shah said some MPs were questioning the very need for a discussion marking 150 years of Vande Mataram. Such a debate, he argued, was relevant when Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote it, when India achieved Independence, today, and even in 2047. He added that those who “cannot understand why Vande Mataram is being discussed” must introspect.

Shah emphasised that although Bankim Chandra was from Bengal, Vande Mataram transcended geography. Freedom fighters across the world used it as a unifying cry, and even today, soldiers laying down their lives often do so with Vande Mataram on their lips.

Responding to Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks that the government was using the debate to divert attention from pressing issues, Shah said the NDA never shies away from discussions. “We don’t boycott Parliament. If the Opposition allows the House to function, we are ready for debate on every issue,” he asserted.