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Kharge said his remarks were based on historical documents and alleged that the RSS and Hindu Mahasabha had sought concessions from the British.
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KALABURAGI
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on the BJP and RSS over the controversy surrounding Vande Mataram, questioning their claims of patriotism and accusing them of trying to polarise society for political gains. Speaking at the release of the book Dimantha Dhurina, Kharge said the Congress had fought for the country’s independence and questioned the BJP’s allegations that those who did not support singing the entire Vande Mataram were traitors.
Are we traitors, we fought for the freedom of this country. Those who surrendered to the British and wrote apology letters are today claiming to be patriots. They should be ashamed, Kharge said. He also questioned their historical stand on government employment and recruitment to the military.
Referring to the Vande Mataram controversy, Kharge said the Congress had taken a considered decision on which portions of the song should be sung. The Congress Working Committee had decided that two of the six stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung, while Jana Gana Mana was also adopted. We have been following this practice for nearly 90 years, he said. Kharge said Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Rabindranath Tagore had also expressed their views on Vande Mataram.
He questioned the BJP’s demand that the entire song should be sung and said political parties should first understand the history and background of the song before making accusations against others. If national songs and anthems are changed whenever governments change, where will self-respect, patriotism and loyalty remain, he asked.
Kharge accused the BJP of raising such issues to polarise voters. They are ruining the country for votes. Their aim is to divide the country and society and rule, he alleged.
Kharge also referred to a BJP meeting held recently, where, he claimed, a resolution was passed branding those who opposed singing the entire Vande Mataram as traitors. Those who said that only two stanzas should be sung are being called traitors. Does that make us traitors. History will tell who the real traitors are, he said.