‘If we do not say ‘Vande Mataram’ will we be imprisoned ?

  • Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar orders ‘Vande Mataram’ instead of ‘Hello’
  • NCP leader Jitendra Awhad feels jittery
(Left side) Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad

Mumbai – Do not strangle the Constitutional freedom given by India. What to eat, what to wear what to say, will you decide it ? If we don’t say that (Vande Mataram), will we be imprisoned ? NCP leader Jitendra Awhad raised the question. After assuming charge, the Forest Minister of the State Sudhir Mungantiwar ordered the officers and employees of all the Government offices in the State to say ‘Vande Mataram’ instead of ‘Hello’ while communicating on phones. Awhad reacted to the order

Says ‘I will not say ‘Vande Mataram’, but will say ‘Jai Maharashtra’

Editorial viewpoint

What can such leaders who oppose for the sake of opposing achieve in the national interest ?

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal

CM Eknath Shinde, says ‘Jai Maharashtra’. So I will say ‘Jai Maharashtra’ instead of ‘Vande Mataram’. It is not appropriate to impose such restrictions legally. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said he speaks according to people’s preferences.

The British memories have to be erased – Minister Mungantiwar

The word ‘hello’ came in the 18th century. It means to express surprise. The memories of the British have to be erased. ‘Vande Mataram’ is well described in the Marathi book. Minister Mungantiwar said to hear patriotic ‘Vande Mataram’ is very soothing.

It is the fault of the education system that we cannot infer the correct meaning – Sudhir Mungantiwar

Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar

After many people started opposing ‘Vande Mataram’, Cultural Affairs Minister Mungantiwar said, we will talk to those who oppose it. Let’s try to understand them. This is not a racial or bigoted term. I have decided on this as the Cultural Affairs Minister of Maharashtra. The campaign is for Maharashtra.

It was not about imprisoning anyone. It is the fault of our education system that we have not been able to develop the ability to make proper interpretations. ‘Vande Mataram’ should be used instead of ‘hello’, that’s all I said.

To commemorate 75 years of Indian Independence, the announcement made by our Ministers is correct – Raosaheb Danve, Minister of State for Railways

Raosaheb Danve, Minister of State for Railways

It is not wrong to say ‘Vande Mataram’. A person who respects the country should say ‘Vande Mataram’. The Government has not made any rules. Those who like to say ‘Vande Mataram’ to others should say it. Those who want to protest can protest. The announcement made by our Minister is appropriate in the background of 75 years of Indian Independence.

 Congress workers should say ‘Jai Baliraja’ instead of ‘Vande Mataram’ – Nana Patole, Congress State President

Nana Patole, Congress State President

‘Vande Mataram’ is our pride, while ‘Baliraja’ is the nurturer of the world. Congress workers should say ‘Jai Baliraja’ to honor Baliraja.

Editorial Viewpoints

  • The revolutionaries got Indian Independence by chanting ‘Vande Mataram’.  Do those staying in India and not wanting to say ‘Vande Mataram’, have the right to stay in India ?
  • How can those who oppose ‘Vande Mataram’be nationalists ?