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In the Lok Sabha, a discussion was held on 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, where SP MP Iqra Hasan delivered a sharp critique of the government. She explained the meaning of the hymn, questioned its politicization, and said Indian Muslims are “Indians by choice.”
‘Indian Muslims Are Indians by Choice, Not by Chance’
New Delhi: A special discussion was held in the Lok Sabha on Monday to commemorate 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'. During this discussion, Iqra Hasan, the Samajwadi Party MP from Kairana constituency in Uttar Pradesh, criticized the government, stating that instead of politicizing Vande Mataram, it is more important to understand its true essence. She said that the song is a tribute to nature, water, forests, land, air, greenery, and the welfare of every citizen of India and it is precisely these values that are being most degraded today.
Iqra Hasan said that repeatedly putting Indian Muslims on trial over Vande Mataram is wrong. She said, "We Indian Muslims are Indian by choice, not by chance." She reminded the House that the decision on which verses of Vande Mataram to adopt was made with the advice of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.
Her question was will we now question the wisdom of these great leaders?
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Explaining the meaning of the song in the House, Iqra Hasan said that Vande Mataram is not just a tribute to the motherland, but also conveys a message of nature and the welfare of its citizens. She said that "Sujalam Suphalam" envisions a country where there is sufficient water, rivers are alive, and farmers are prosperous.
However, expressing concern over the condition of rivers like the Yamuna and Ganga, she said that according to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee report, the BOD level in several parts of the Yamuna has reached 127 mg/L, while it should be 3 mg/L for a healthy river.
The SP MP said that the crisis of rivers is directly linked to the livelihood of farmers. She alleged that despite spending crores of rupees on 'Namami Gange', farmers are forced to cultivate their land using poisonous water.
She asked how the land can remain fertile when the water itself becomes poisonous? How will the farmers survive? How will the dream of a lush green land be fulfilled? Serious questions raised on pollution, air quality, and nature
The MP, while explaining the term 'Malayaja Sheetalam', said it symbolizes the fragrant air that gives life, not disease.
She said, “Take a deep breath outside Parliament House today it's not air, it's poison that's going into our lungs.”
She alleged that the government pays lip service to respecting nature, but is dismantling laws that protect forests, air, and trees.
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Iqra Hassan said that Vande Mataram speaks of respecting every daughter and woman of the motherland, but atrocities against women are increasing in the country. She said that this song is being used as a political tool to give land to capitalists and displace tribals from their homes which is contrary to the original spirit of Vande Mataram.
