Vande Mataram Controversy

Media and Vande Mataram controversy

The media in India celebrated Vande Mataram controversy. Some of the national news channels were highly enthusiastic in showing Muslims singing the song. So many people shed their energy arguing about Vande Mataram. Suddenly, we had patriots in all parts of India singing Vande Mataram.

Some news channels wanted to know whether the politicians knew Vande Mataram. Why blame politicians? Seven out of ten people on the street does not know Vande Mataram. I don’t know how to sing Vande Mataram. Does that mean that I am not an Indian Citizen?

The whole controversy was used to divide India on religious lines. The main stream media should be blamed for igniting passions of people. The media covertly kick up controversies and then they cleverly put on the role of good shepherd. The issue is then used by fundamentalists for their gains.

What did the people of India gain from Vande Mataram controversy?

How can an average citizen of India sing Vande Mataram, when he/she has to toil for daily bread? How can the government ask the farmers of India to sing Vande Mataram, when they are committing suicides due to the wrong policies of the government?

The controversy

The whole controversy can be summed up as Hindus forcing other religious people to sing a song which they find offending.

Hinduism and the Vande Mataram Controversy

Hinduism never forces. And any attempt of force is not Sanatana Dharma. Remember what Lord Krishna said to Arjuna after delivering Bhagavad Gita.

Chapter 18, Verse 63

"Thus I have explained to you the most confidential of all knowledge. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do."

Do what you wish to do – this is one of the important pillars of Hinduism. Hinduism stands for freedom of expression, choice and opinion. This is the reason why Sanatana Dharma has withstood the ravages of time.