New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) The Rajya Sabha was the stage for a heated discussion on the national song Vande Mataram on Thursday, with Leader of the House J.P. Nadda claiming that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru altered the song due to pressure from communal forces.

Nadda referred to Vande Mataram as a symbol of unity, recalling the poignant last words of freedom fighter Khudiram Bose—“Vande Mataram”—before his execution, showcasing the song's significant emotional impact.

In response to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who accused the discussion of being a smear campaign against Nehru, Nadda clarified that the goal was not to assassinate character but to “rectify historical narratives.”

He emphasized that leaders must own up to their historical decisions. “When it suits you, it’s the Nehruvian era. When it doesn’t, you invoke Subhas Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore. If you desire the accolades, you must also shoulder the blame,” he stated.

Nadda asserted that Vande Mataram did not garner the recognition it deserved, attributing part of the blame to Nehru's leadership at the time.

In his remarks, Nadda referenced records indicating that Nehru expressed reluctance over the adoption of the song as a national emblem in the 1937 Nehru Archives, citing his discomfort with its religious overtones, calling the homage to the mother goddess “absurd.” This choice of words illustrated Nehru’s apprehension regarding the fusion of nationalism and religious connotations.

Nadda also highlighted a correspondence from Nehru to Urdu author Ali Sardar Jafri, where Nehru criticized the song for its complex language, arguing it was inaccessible to the general populace despite its emotional depth during the struggle for independence.

Furthermore, Nadda quoted Nehru’s opinion that Vande Mataram was “inconsistent with contemporary ideals,” suggesting Nehru viewed it as antiquated and misaligned with the secular, modernist narrative he aimed to establish for India.

Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge countered this by questioning whether Nehru was Prime Minister in 1937. Nadda clarified that Nehru was then the President of the Indian National Congress, and it was under his guidance that the song underwent modifications.

Nadda referred to Congress Working Committee reports from October 26 to November 1, 1937, noting that objections from Muslim members were acknowledged, leading to the decision that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung, as the remaining verses contained religious imagery depicting Bharat Mata as Maa Durga, wielding weapons of freedom.

“It was under Nehru’s influence that these stanzas were omitted,” Nadda asserted.

Despite vehement protests from opposition members, who accused Nadda of misleading the assembly, he remained steadfast, reiterating that the song embodies sacrifice and unity, meriting its rightful recognition in the nation’s ethos.