The Maharashtra Government will mark the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram, with a mass recital at Mantralaya on Friday, news agency PTI reported. The event will take place at the Trimurti Atrium in the state secretariat, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in attendance.
“The event will kick off a year-long celebration across Maharashtra under the ‘Sardh Shatabdi Mahotsav’ initiative,” said Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
Vande Mataram, written by poet and philosopher Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875, “holds immense historical and emotional significance as a symbol of the freedom struggle and patriotism”, Lodha stated, according to PTI.
The Maharashtra Minister also explained the state government’s directive for all schools to sing the complete version of Vande Mataram from October 31 to November 7. A circular to this effect was issued by the school education department on October 27.
“The song has the power to instil national pride. As a tribute to the martyrs and to salute the motherland, the state government has issued a circular and ordinance directing educational institutions and government establishments to organise group recitations of Vande Mataram,” Lodha told reporters.
According to PTI, Lodha also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed the organisation of events across the country to commemorate the 150th year of the national song.
The skill development department has set up committees at state and taluka levels to oversee activities including essay competitions, exhibitions, seminars, and elocution contests. Cultural events will be organised by the department of cultural affairs, headed by Minister Ashish Shelar, PTI reported.
Currently, schools in Maharashtra sing only the first two stanzas of the song.
However, in celebration of the milestone, the circular mandates that schools of all mediums perform the full version. Exhibitions depicting the history and significance of the song will also be displayed, according to PTI.
The directive has, however, sparked political debate.
Mumbai Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi criticised making the recital compulsory, arguing that it goes against individual belief systems. “Islam gives great importance to respecting one’s mother, but it does not permit prostration before her,” he said, PTI reported.
Azmi also accused the ruling BJP of focusing on divisive politics rather than development.
(With PTI inputs)
