JAMMU, Aug 17: Activists of the Dogra Front and Shiv Sena (DFSS), led by party president Ashok Gupta, took out a protest rally in Jammu city against what they alleged was disrespect towards the national song Vande Mataram by Congress leaders during the party’s Independence Day programme in New Delhi.
Addressing the protesters, Gupta alleged that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had shown disrespect towards Vande Mataram during the programme. He said the national song had played an important role in inspiring freedom fighters during India’s struggle for independence.
Gupta said Vande Mataram was deeply connected with the sentiments of millions of Indians and the country’s freedom movement. He asserted that freedom fighters used the song as a source of inspiration while fighting British rule and said any alleged disrespect towards it would not be tolerated.
He further criticised the Congress, alleging that the party had historically supported the removal of certain lines from the song and claimed that the recent incident reflected a similar attitude.
Gupta highlighted the historical significance of Vande Mataram, stating that it was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and was sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Congress session. He said the song became a prominent rallying cry during the Swadeshi Movement of 1905 and was accorded the status of India’s national song in 1950.
“Vande Mataram is no ordinary song. It symbolises dedication to Mother India, the struggle of freedom fighters and the spirit of ‘Nation First’. Disrespecting it amounts to disrespecting India’s national consciousness,” Gupta said.
During the protest, activists raised slogans including “Vande Mataram,” “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Jai Hind” and demanded an apology from the Congress leadership.
Abhishek, Bittu, Ganesh, Bantu, Prem, Kalu, Rampal, Naresh, Ram and several other activists participated in the protest.