Defense Minister Rajnath Singh erupted in frustration during a heated Lok Sabha debate on "Vande Mataram" on Monday, clashing with Opposition MPs who interrupted his speech. A widely circulated video captured Singh, visibly agitated, retorting sharply to calls for him to sit down, asking, "Kaun baithanewala hai? Kaun baithayega?" (Who is going to make me sit?). He further demanded, "Kya baat kar rahe ho...baith!" (What are you even saying? Sit down!), while asserting "how dare you" in Hindi and urging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to intervene. The exchange lasted nearly 30 seconds, with Singh remaining visibly angry until Birla gestured for calm among the lawmakers. Several BJP leaders were also heard shouting at the Opposition, questioning their audacity in addressing the minister that way. The incident underscored the intense partisanship surrounding the debate, which marked the 150th anniversary of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's iconic song, first published in 1875.

In his address, Singh lambasted the Congress party for what he described as historical "fragmentation" of "Vande Mataram" through appeasement politics initiated under former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He argued that the song, along with its source novel Anand Math, was never "anti-Islam" but rather embodied resistance against British imperialism and the Nawab of Bengal, reflecting broader sentiments of national unity. "Restoring the glory of Vande Mataram is the need of the hour and also a demand of morality," Singh declared, emphasizing that the injustice extended beyond the song to the people of independent India. He called for an unbiased reevaluation of the full composition, noting that while the first two stanzas are familiar, much of the original has been overlooked, obscuring its essence as a portrayal of India's spirit.

The debate, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, celebrated the song's pivotal role in India's freedom struggle, describing it as more than a political mantra—a "sacred war cry" against colonialism. Modi highlighted how "Vande Mataram" inspired unity during the 1905 Bengal partition and contrasted its centenary in 1975, overshadowed by the Emergency imposed by Congress, with today's opportunity for restoration. "The Emergency was a dark chapter in our history... Now we have the chance to restore the greatness of 'Vande Mataram,' and this opportunity should not pass," he stated. The discussion reignited a recent controversy sparked by Modi's accusation that Congress truncated key stanzas at its 1937 Faizabad session, a claim the party countered by attributing the decision to Rabindranath Tagore's advice aimed at accommodating diverse community sentiments.

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Responding to the proceedings, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the BJP-led government of politicizing the issue ahead of the Bengal assembly elections to sideline pressing national concerns. She criticized Modi for "selectively" invoking Nehru and urged the ruling party to allocate dedicated time to list and debate alleged insults to the former leader before closing the matter. "Let us use the precious time of this Parliament for the job people have elected us for," Gandhi Vadra implored, advocating a shift toward substantive legislative priorities. The exchange highlighted ongoing tensions between the two major parties, with the debate serving as a microcosm of broader ideological battles over India's cultural and historical legacy.

Also Read: PM Modi Says Vande Mataram Fueled India’s Freedom Hopes and Will Guide a Prosperous Future