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During the discussion on Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, Akhilesh Yadav launched a sharp attack on the government and said that Vande Mataram does not belong to any political party but represents the emotions of the entire nation. He added that the song was a source of inspiration during the freedom struggle and that its significance should be protected from political controversies.
British banned Vande Mataram from 1905 to 1908, said SP Chief.
New Delhi: As the Lok Sabha opened a marathon 10 hour discussion to commemorate 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav delivered one of the most forceful speeches of the session. Speaking shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the debate, Akhilesh used the occasion to question what he called the ruling party’s attempt to monopolise national identity.
He stressed that Vande Mataram is not a political trophy and should not be treated as a tool for showmanship. The song, he said, belongs to the people and not to any political organisation. It united India, strengthened the freedom struggle and shook British rule. According to him, it must be practiced in spirit, not exploited for political display.
"The slogan 'Vande Mataram' united the nation.
'Vande Mataram' gave strength and energy to the freedom struggle."Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party Chief, during the discussion on Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha.#VandeMataram #PMModi #LokSabha #History #IndiaPolitics… pic.twitter.com/gQ9x4Dki01
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) December 8, 2025
Akhilesh directly accused the BJP of trying to claim ownership over freedom fighters who, he said, had no connection to the party. He argued that nationalism is not defined by repetitive slogans but by action and values. Those who never took part in the freedom movement, he said, cannot claim the right to decide who is patriotic.
He also took a dig at the ruling party for what he described as selective use of icons, especially Dr B R Ambedkar. Akhilesh said the government remembers Ambedkar’s legacy only after electoral setbacks in Uttar Pradesh, suggesting that the party invokes national figures based on convenience rather than commitment.
The SP chief questioned what he called the government’s single coloured mindset, asking why the tricolour was not hoisted in certain contexts despite its national significance. He warned that communal politics will not work because Vande Mataram lives as an emotion within every citizen. The true power of the song, he said, lies in its ability to bind people across differences and remind them of a shared struggle.
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Akhilesh used historical facts to underline the song’s legacy, reminding the House that the British banned Vande Mataram from 1905 to 1908 precisely because it had become a symbol of unity and resistance. Its spread across the country, he said, had shaken colonial authority and inspired countless freedom fighters.
He also compared present day politics to British era strategies, arguing that policies dividing communities today echo the old divide and rule approach. According to him, the country must stay alert to modern attempts at creating similar divisions.
During his speech, Akhilesh also shifted briefly to contemporary issues. Referring to the IndiGo crisis, he questioned whether aircraft were genuinely unable to fly or were simply being held back. He cited the example of Uttar Pradesh, where he claimed about 26,000 primary schools are facing closure, arguing that the government comments on historical jailings of children while failing to protect today’s students.
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The debate in which Akhilesh spoke is part of a special parliamentary commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. The Winter Session, which runs from December 1 to 19, has entered a crucial phase, with both Houses preparing for intense exchanges on national identity, history and political ownership of cultural symbols.
Prime Minister Modi opened the Lok Sabha discussion, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to reinforce the government’s stance. The Opposition, including senior Congress leaders and SP members, has framed the debate as a contest of ideas, challenging what they describe as the BJP’s attempt to politicise a national legacy.
Akhilesh Yadav’s fiery intervention highlighted the deeper ideological contest unfolding in Parliament. For the ruling party, the debate is a cultural reaffirmation. For the Opposition, it is a reminder that national symbols cannot be claimed, controlled or repurposed for political dominance.
With the Rajya Sabha set to continue the discussion under Home Minister Amit Shah, the debate promises to remain a defining moment of the Winter Session.
