Rajya Sabha MP and philanthropist Sudha Murty has urged that the national song, Vande Mataram, be taught in schools to instill patriotism and preserve India’s cultural heritage. Speaking outside Parliament, Murty said she hopes the next generation will connect with the song and take pride in its history. “I enjoyed Vande Mataram as a child. It was deeply patriotic and closely connected with India’s freedom struggle. I hope children continue to feel the same,” she stated.

Murty recently requested the Union government to make the song compulsory in both primary and high school curricula, stressing that teaching it requires only a few minutes but carries profound cultural significance. Participating in discussions marking 150 years of the song, she described her perspective as “not as an MP, philanthropist, or author, but as a daughter of Mother India.” She highlighted that India’s unity lies in diversity, with Vande Mataram serving as the symbolic thread that binds the nation.

The MP recounted the song’s historical power during the freedom struggle, describing how it inspired courage and unity among Indians living under colonial rule. “Vande Mataram rose like a volcano exploding lava… It was a magic touch that made even cowards stand up,” she said, sharing anecdotes from her hometown of Hubli where locals rallied against British authority. She noted that the song represents both sacrifice and the arduous journey toward independence.

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Murty stressed the importance of teaching the song alongside the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. She argued that patriotism develops alongside compassion, sacrifice, and care for the land, all values embodied in Vande Mataram. By integrating the song into the formative years of education, Murty believes children will develop a deeper understanding of India’s history and cultural identity.

Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in the early 1880s and included in his novel Anandamath, has historically served as an emotional and ideological anchor for India’s independence movement. The song helped unify diverse groups against British rule, inspiring generations of freedom fighters. This year marks 150 years since its composition, prompting commemorations across the country.

However, celebrations in Parliament turned contentious, with senior BJP leaders linking historical restrictions on the song’s use to communal tensions that eventually led to Partition. Opposition leaders, including Congress MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge, rejected this view, urging lawmakers to focus on contemporary issues instead of relitigating history. The debate highlights how Vande Mataram continues to inspire discussion on patriotism, history, and national identity even 150 years after its creation.

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