National Anthem vs National Anthem: Center said in Delhi High Court – It is the duty of every Indian to respect Vande Martam like Jana Gana Mana

The Central Government on Saturday told the Delhi High Court that both Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram are one and the same. Every citizen of the country should give equal respect to both. The High Court had sought response from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Law and Justice and others on the PIL on the petition regarding the national anthem and the national anthem.

Petitioner Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay and BJP leader said in the court that there is only one nationality in the country i.e. Indian and it is the duty of every Indian to respect ‘Vande Mataram’. To keep the country united, it is the duty of the government to formulate a national policy to promote Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram.

An appeal has been made in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for equality between the national anthem and the national anthem and for framing guidelines to accord the national anthem ‘Vande Mataram’ the same respect and status as the national anthem of India. It has also sought directions to the Central and State Governments to ensure that ‘Jana-Gana-Mana’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ are played/sung every day in all schools and educational institutions. Apart from this, it has been asked to frame the guidelines issued by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.

The character and style of the nation was depicted in Vande Mataram
It has been said in the petition that the sentiments expressed in Jana Gana Mana are keeping in mind the state, whereas the sentiments expressed in Vande Mataram reflect the character and style of the nation. Both should be given equal respect. Sometimes, Vande Mataram is sung in situations which are not permissible. It is the duty of every Indian to show respect to him when Vande Mataram is being played/sung.

Vande Mataram was banned during the freedom movement
The petition said that when India got independence from British rule during the freedom movement, Vande Mataram was the idea and motto of the whole country. Initially, Vande Mataram slogans were raised in rallies in big cities. This gave birth to patriotism. The British were scared. He banned singing Vande Mataram in public places due to the possible danger of provoking people. Not only this, many freedom activists were imprisoned for singing it.

Rabindranath Tagore wrote the national anthem in Bengali. This was followed by Hindi and Urdu translations.

History of Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram
Jana Gana Mana was first sung in December 1911 at the Kolkata session of the Indian National Congress. The Constituent Assembly adopted it as the national anthem on 24 January 1950. At the same time, Vande Mataram was written in Bengali by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in the year 1875. He also gave it a place in his novel Anandamath in the year 1881. After this the popularity of this song increased.

‘Vande Mataram’ was sung at the Kolkata Congress session.

Vande Mataram was sung for the first time in 1896.
Rabindranath Tagore sang ‘Vande Mataram’ at the Calcutta Congress session in 1896. Five years later, in 1901, Dakshin Charan Sen sang Vande Mataram in another Congress session in Calcutta. Sarala Devi Choudurani sang Vande Mataram at the Banaras Congress session in 1905. Lala Lajpat Rai started a magazine named Vande Mataram from Lahore.