The ongoing political debate surrounding the rendition of India’s National Song, ‘Vande Mataram’, has now taken the entertainment world by storm. Bollywood actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has issued a strong and fiery response to veteran actress Sharmila Tagore after the latter suggested that only the first two stanzas of the historical song should be recited.
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Kangana strongly disagreed with the veteran star’s perspective, questioning her “contrived” views on art and poetry, and urging her to move past a “Hindu-Muslim mindset”.
Here is a complete breakdown of what Sharmila Tagore said, how Kangana Ranaut retaliated, and the historical context behind the brewing controversy.
The Trigger: Sharmila Tagore’s Stance on ‘Vande Mataram’
The controversy stems from a recent interview where Sharmila Tagore shared her views on the lyrical composition of ‘Vande Mataram’, originally penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s.
While the first two stanzas of the poem praise the physical beauty of the motherland, the subsequent verses explicitly invoke Hindu goddesses like Durga and Lakshmi. Speaking to the media, Tagore stated that the later verses might be uncomfortable for citizens who follow monotheistic religions (faiths that believe in a single God).
“My point of view is that there are many religious people who believe in one single God, not many Gods… It is difficult for those who believe in one religion to say, ‘Vande Kali, Vande Durga’. Therefore, if we take all the religious people in India together, the first two stanzas are very good,” Sharmila Tagore remarked.
Kangana’s Fiery Retort: “Art Should Not Be Contrived”
Never one to shy away from sharing her unfiltered opinions, Kangana Ranaut quickly took to Instagram to counter Tagore’s argument. While the Queen actress expressed her respect for the legendary star, she was brutally honest about her disappointment regarding Tagore’s artistic interpretation.
Kangana argued that poetry and art rely heavily on metaphors and should not be reduced to literal religious practices.
“I appreciate that Sharmila ji has spoken about her reservation on Vande Mataram, but I am shocked as an artist how can her views on art/poetry be so limiting and contrived. In any poetry or song, words are metaphors. A poet or artist uses all kinds of imaginations, draws unbelievable parallels to bring about the desirable effect,” Kangana wrote.
The “Shakti” Metaphor and the Hindu-Muslim Mindset
Defending the historical essence of the National Song, Kangana reminded her followers that ‘Vande Mataram’ was the ultimate spirit of the Indian freedom struggle. She emphasized that Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s references to deities were meant to awaken the inner Shakti (strength) of the nation, rather than promoting idol worship.
To further cement her point, Kangana quoted Swami Vivekananda:
“Vivekananda famously said I need youth who are made of iron, bones of steel and veins in which runs thunderbolt, he was not giving a weather forecast, he was simply demanding Shakti to rise”.
She concluded her statement with a sharp yet affectionate reality check for the veteran actress:
“Please come out of Hindu Muslim mindset. Even if we believe in one God, doctors also call power Shakti. Let’s embrace each other like our own. I absolutely love you and don’t mind a crushing hug like you always give me”.
The Core Issue: Why is ‘Vande Mataram’ in the News?
The cultural clash between the two actresses is set against the backdrop of an ongoing political row between the BJP and the Congress. The debate reignited recently when BJP leaders accused Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi of allegedly disrespecting the National Song by conversing while it was being played during the Independence Day celebrations.
In response, the Congress defended its position by citing a historic 1937 Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution—supported by Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore—which mandated that only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ would be sung at official events to respect the sentiments of minority communities.
As the political tug-of-war continues, Kangana Ranaut’s vocal defense of the song’s artistic and nationalistic integrity ensures that this debate will remain at the forefront of national discourse!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did Sharmila Tagore say about Vande Mataram?
Sharmila Tagore stated that only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ should be sung universally, as the later verses mention Hindu goddesses (like Durga and Kali). She reasoned that reciting these later verses might be difficult for citizens who follow monotheistic faiths (belief in one God).
2. How did Kangana Ranaut react to Sharmila Tagore?
Kangana Ranaut criticized Tagore’s view as “limiting and contrived,” arguing that poetry uses metaphors and should not be reduced to religious literalism. She urged Tagore to “come out of the Hindu-Muslim mindset” and understand the song as a call to awaken inner strength (Shakti).
3. Who wrote the National Song, Vande Mataram?
‘Vande Mataram’ was written by the legendary Bengali author and poet Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s and was later included in his famous novel Anandamath in 1882.
4. What is the 1937 Congress resolution regarding Vande Mataram?
In 1937, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution—backed by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru—stating that only the first two non-religious stanzas of the song would be sung at public and party gatherings to avoid hurting minority sentiments.
