The grandson of the Father of Indian Constitution, BR Ambedkar, and Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) chief Prakash Ambedkar has detonated a huge controversy by making an utterly absurd statement that there is no need for National song of India- Vande Mataram- when there is already a National anthem in place.
According to the Republic World report, while addressing the media when Prakash Ambedkar was asked about his views on the national song, he said, “When we already have a National anthem then why do we need another song? Why don’t you believe in the national anthem? Let’s leave it to the choice of the people. Those who will sing National anthem, they are nationalists and if someone doesn’t sing Vande Mataram, then how does he/she become a traitor? Who are these people to issue certificates?” He further said, “Those who sing Jana Gana Mana are Indians but our allegation is that those who sing Vande Mataram are anti-Indian.”
For Prakash Amebdkar, the hymn of India’s freedom fighters is anti-national. Vande Mataram were the words that many freedom fighters uttered right before they died fighting the British (Brutish) forces. It was the main slogan used by the freedom fighters throughout the Indian freedom struggle; it united Indian masses like never before and filled the hearts of Indians with love and honor for their motherland. Be it Vande Mataram or Jan-Gan-Man both are cherished and loved alike by all the Indians. It’s only a few cheap politicians who provoke and mislead people against Vande Mataram to score some cheap political gains. Vande Mataram means I BOW DOWN, I WORSHIP TO MY MOTHERLAND, and there is nothing wrong in saying it, unless of course, if one is against his/her own motherland.
It’s not the first instance of someone ranting against the National song of India. Earlier the alliance partner of BBM, Akbaruddin Owaisi delivered tirade against ‘Vande Matram’. Last month, Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Prakash Ambedkar-led Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) announced a pre-poll alliance ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
In 2017, Owaisi mouthed off against Vande Matram being made compulsory, and called it a way to promote Hindutva. He had said, “It is a wrong decision and is unconstitutional. Vande Mataram is our National Song, but there is no act which makes it compulsory to sing, like an act which is there for the National Anthem. Just to promote Hindutva and to end secularism, these kinds of decisions are being taken.”
Prakash Ambedkar also supports his alliance partner on this issue. He said, “AIMIM hasn’t opposed the national anthem,but only the national song. We fully support them on this issue. Why do we need to make singing of Vande Mataram when we have a national anthem?”
Looks like people like Prakash Ambedkar will stoop to any level for puny electoral gains and don’t give a hoot about the integrity of the great country, that is India.
