Reciting 'Vande Mataram' compulsory in all UP educational institutions: Yogi
What's the story
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that singing the national song Vande Mataram will be mandatory in all educational institutions across the state. The announcement was made during an "Ekta Yatra" event in Gorakhpur. "We must include Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in our discussions. We will make the recitation of Vande Mataram mandatory...across Uttar Pradesh so that every citizen of the state develops a sense of respect and devotion towards Bharat Mata and the motherland," he said.
Historical reference
Adityanath's announcement comes amid political controversy over PM Modi's remarks
Adityanath also said that opposing "Vande Mataram" was one of the reasons behind India's partition. He said that our duty is to "identify elements that divide in the name of caste, region, and language" and "are part of a conspiracy to create new Jinnahs." "We must ensure no new Jinnah ever arises in India again... we must bury divisive intent before it can take root," the UP CM said.
Controversial comments
PM Modi claimed 'Vande Mataram' stanzas were dropped in 1937
The announcement comes amid a political controversy over PM Narendra Modi's recent comments on the song. PM Modi had claimed that important stanzas of "Vande Mataram" were dropped in 1937, which he said sowed the seeds of partition. He called such a "divisive mindset" a continuing challenge for India. The Congress party has demanded an apology from PM Modi over his remarks, alleging he insulted the Congress Working Committee (CWC) of 1937 and Rabindranath Tagore.
Apology demanded
Congress accuses PM Modi of insulting CWC, Tagore
Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said the CWC meeting from October 26-November 1, 1937, included prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. He said a statement issued by the CWC on October 28, 1937, regarding "Vande Mataram" was influenced by Tagore's advice. "That he should have done so is shocking but not surprising since the RSS had played no role in our freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi," Ramesh said.