Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open the Lok Sabha debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram on Monday, setting the stage for a spirited discussion expected to draw senior leaders from both the government and the opposition. The 10-hour debate, which is likely to highlight several significant and previously lesser-known aspects of the national song, will begin at 12 noon.
Ahead of the discussion, PM Modi, had described Vande Mataram as “a true symbol of India’s unity that has inspired generations,” adding that the 150-year milestone would “offer new inspiration and fill the country with renewed energy".
From the Opposition, Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will participate in the discussion during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, while other senior leaders will also join. Union ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are also expected to attend.
The Lok Sabha has earmarked 10 hours for the debate, titled Discussion on the 150th Anniversary of National Song Vande Mataram. It forms part of the government’s ongoing year-long commemoration of the iconic poem written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and set to tune by Jadunath Bhattacharya.
"Many important and unknown facets related to Vande Mataram will come out in front of the nation during the debate," a senior government official said.
PM Modi launched the year-long celebrations on November 7, with a strong focus on youth outreach. He has previously accused the Congress of omitting key stanzas of Vande Mataram in 1937, alleging that the decision “sowed the seeds of partition”.
Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha will take up the Vande Mataram debate on Tuesday, with Home Minister Amit Shah leading the discussion. Health Minister and Leader of the House JP Nadda will speak second.
After concluding the discussion on Vande Mataram, a separate debate on electoral reforms, covering issues including the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, will be taken up by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday and Wednesday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will lead the party’s charges in this discussion..
Parliament’s Winter Session, which began on December 1, witnessed disruptions in its first two days due to opposition protests over the SIR, continuing tensions that had earlier led to the Monsoon Session being almost entirely washed out.
Source: India Today