New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, described Vande Mataram as a ‘mantra” and ‘slogan’ that energised and guided India’s freedom struggle, and inspired Indians to attain freedom in 1947.

Initiating a special discussion on the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister slammed the Congress for bowing down to the Muslim League’s sentiments against Vande Mataram. ADVERTISEMENT

The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, instead of voicing opinion against Muhammad Ali Jinnah, backed his opposition to the country’s national song, he said.

PM Modi further questioned why injustice was meted out to Vande Mataram when Mahatma Gandhi himself wrote in 1905 that the song has become so popular that it has emerged as national anthem.

“If

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