"BJP, RSS propagating 'Vande Mataram' for their agenda": Ashok Gehlot

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], November 7 (ANI): Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said that Congress recognised "Vande Mataram" as the national song for the first time in the presence of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore and other leaders and alleged that today the BJP and RSS are playing "divisive politics" and propagating it for their "agenda".
"In the presence of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian National Congress recognised 'Vande Mataram' as the national song for the first time, and the Congress is proud of both 'Jan Gan Man' and 'Vande Bharat'... Today, the BJP and RSS are propagating it for their agenda, playing divisive politics, but people now understand their intentions," Gehlot said on the occasion of the 150 years of the national song.
"From vote tampering to pressuring the election commission and judiciary, they are doing all wrong to win the election, putting democracy in danger...,: Gehlot told reporters here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the year-long commemoration of the National Song "Vande Mataram" at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.The Prime Minister also released a Commemorative Stamp and Coin on the occasion.
Prime Minister Modi also launched a portal commemorating the 150th anniversary of the National Song 'Vande Mataram'.The celebrations featured a mass singing of the full version of "Vande Mataram" across public places, with participation from citizens across all segments of society, in conjunction with the main programme.PM Modi also participated in the mass singing of the full version of 'Vande Mataram' at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were also present on the occasion.
This programme marks the formal launch of a year-long nationwide commemoration, from November 7 to November 7, 2026, celebrating 150 years of this timeless composition, which inspired India's freedom movement and continues to evoke national pride and unity.
Vande Mataram is a Sanskrit poem written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876. It was later included in his novel Anandamath, published in 1882, and became a symbol of Indian nationalism during the country's struggle for independence.
The poem is a hymn to the motherland, personifying India as a goddess, and is often translated as "Hail to the Motherland". The song has been a source of inspiration for many Indians and is considered one of the most iconic expressions of patriotism in the country. (ANI)