New Delhi, Dec 8 (JKNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday recalled the difficult circumstances under which the national song Vande Mataram marked key milestones in history, saying its 100th anniversary fell at a time when the nation was bound by the Emergency and constitutional values were “suppressed”.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a special discussion on the 150th year of Vande Mataram, the Prime Minister as per news agency JKNS said that the song had been a source of unmatched strength and resolve during the freedom movement.
Modi said, “When Vande Mataram completed 50 years, the country was still under foreign domination. When it completed 100 years, the Emergency had gripped the nation. The Constitution was silenced, and many committed patriots were jailed.”
He added that the powerful chant of Vande Mataram inspired generations of freedom fighters, serving as a guiding force that fuelled courage and unity across the country.
Calling the present moment a privilege, Modi said, “It is a proud occasion for all of us to witness Vande Mataram complete 150 years. After the dark period of the Emergency, we now have the chance to truly honour and restore the dignity of this sacred national song.”
The Prime Minister urged the House to use this historic milestone to reaffirm national commitment to the ideals of freedom, democracy, and unity. (JKNS)
