The Deliberate Choice Behind India's National Anthem and Song

India's Parliament is currently debating the history of 'Vande Mataram' to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticising the Congress party's historical handling of the composition. The debate highlights a fascinating chapter in India's constitutional development and the pragmatic considerations that shaped the young nation's symbolic choices.

Historical Context and Composition

'Vande Mataram' was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875, with an expanded version appearing in his novel Anandamath in 1881. The additional stanzas depicted the Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion, where Hindu monks fought Muslim rulers in Bengal during the 1770s famine period.

The song begins with "I bow to thee, Mother" and portrays the motherland as a divine figure, comparing her to goddesses Durga and Laxmi in later verses. While it became a powerful rallying cry during India's independence movement, its adoption as a national symbol proved more complex.

Nehru's Practical Considerations

In a detailed Cabinet note dated 21 May 1948, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru outlined his preference for Rabindranath Tagore's 'Jana Gana Mana' as the national anthem, relegating 'Vande Mataram' to national song status.

Nehru's reasoning was notably pragmatic. He emphasised that a national anthem functions primarily as music rather than lyrics, requiring frequent orchestral and band performances both domestically and internationally. "'Vande Mataram' for all its beauty and history is not an easy tune for orchestral or band rendering," he wrote.

The Prime Minister described 'Vande Mataram' as "plaintive", "mournful" and "repetitive", noting its difficulty for foreign audiences to appreciate musically. He argued that 'Jana Gana Mana' possessed "distinctive features" and "an element of triumph and fulfilment" more suitable for a newly independent nation.

Religious Sensitivities and Political Compromise

Beyond musical considerations, religious concerns influenced the decision. The Muslim League objected to portions of the song as promoting idol worship, with Mohammed Ali Jinnah claiming it was a "hymn to spread hatred for the Musalmans".

Historian Sabyasachi Bhattacharya noted that the song became increasingly controversial during the 1920s and 1930s as communal tensions rose. The Congress party faced pressure to clarify its position, particularly as it governed several provinces and sought Muslim support.

Rabindranath Tagore himself acknowledged the controversy, stating he "could not sympathise with the sentiments in the latter stanzas of 'Vande Mataram'". However, he supported retaining the first two stanzas, which had "acquired a separate individuality and an inspiring significance".

The 1937 Compromise Resolution

In October 1937, the Congress Working Committee, with Nehru's assistance, drafted a resolution recognising that while the first two stanzas had become an "inseparable part of our national movement", the remaining verses contained "religious ideology which may not be in keeping with the ideology of other religious groups in India".

The committee recommended limiting performances to the first two stanzas at national events, while allowing organisers freedom to include other "unobjectionable" songs. This truncated version was formally adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1951 as the national song, alongside 'Jana Gana Mana' as the national anthem.

Contemporary Political Relevance

The current parliamentary debate reflects ongoing political tensions, with Modi accusing the Congress of "sowing the seeds of Partition" through its handling of the song. The controversy remains particularly relevant in West Bengal, where state politics often invoke cultural and linguistic identity.

The debate illustrates the complex balance required in multicultural democracies between honouring historical symbols and ensuring inclusive national identity. Nehru's approach reflected the pragmatic liberalism characteristic of India's early leadership, prioritising functional governance over symbolic purity.

As India continues to grapple with questions of national identity and religious harmony, the 150-year-old song remains a lens through which to examine the ongoing challenge of building unity within diversity.