STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Amid the ongoing debate over the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, BJP J&K Spokesperson Gaurav Gupta strongly defended the national song, terming it the “soul of Bharat” and a “sacred expression of unity and patriotism.”
Condemning objections raised by certain religious and political groups, Gupta said that Vande Mataram transcends religious boundaries and symbolizes India’s civilizational ethos.
“Vande Mataram is not merely a song but a sacred expression of India’s unity, culture, and freedom struggle,” Gupta said. “It inspired revolutionaries to lay down their lives for the nation. It is the soul of Bharat, not a symbol of division. Every citizen, irrespective of faith, owes respect to the motherland.”
Calling the opposition to the song’s celebration “unfortunate and misplaced,” Gupta accused certain vested interests of viewing national symbols through a communal lens.
“Those who divide patriotism on religious lines insult the sacrifices of freedom fighters who gave their lives chanting Vande Mataram,” he added. “The spirit of Bharat cannot be silenced by regressive voices.”
Aligning his remarks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national vision, the BJP spokesperson said the message of Vande Mataram perfectly reflects the Prime Minister’s philosophy of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
“Prime Minister Modi’s vision emphasizes unity in diversity and respect for all faiths while keeping the nation first. No ideology, however rigid, can stand above the idea of India,” Gupta asserted.
He urged people across Jammu and Kashmir and the nation to participate in the Vande Mataram commemorations with pride and enthusiasm, calling it a moment to “reaffirm our faith in the unity and integrity of the nation.” “Celebrating Vande Mataram is celebrating Bharat itself,” Gupta concluded.
