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HVK Archives: BJP insists on Vande Mataram in Constitution

BJP insists on Vande Mataram in Constitution - The Asian Age

Posted By Ashok V Chowgule (ashokvc@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in)
24 March 1997

Title : BJP insists on Vande Mataram in Constitution
Author :
Publication : The Asian Age
Date : March 24, 1997

The BJP on Sunday demanded the amendment of the Constitution in
order to give national song Vande Mataram the status equal to that
of the national anthemn.

"I strongly feel that Article 51A should be properly amended to add
in clause (a) the words, "National Song." It is a historical fact
that the framers of the Constitution recognised Vande Mataram as a
national song of India and gave it a status equal to that of the
national anthemn," BJP vice-president K.L. Sharma said in a letter
addressed to Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

Mr Sharma said even the country's first President, Dr Rajendra
Prasad, had demanded such an amendment.

He quoted a statement made by Dr Prasad, then the president of the
Constituent Assembly, on January 24, 1950, which said: "The song
Vande Mataram, which has played a historic part in the struggle of
Indian freedom, shall be honoured equally. In Parliament, the
national anthemn is played at the commencement of the session ad
national song at the end. I urge that Article 51A should be
properly amended and instructions should also be issued to follow
the precedent of Parliament in all state legislatures."

Dr Prasad, in his statement, said the amended statement should read
as "to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and
institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthemn and the
National Song."

"It is unfortunate that this lapse had not been rectified earlier.
To do it now, when we celebrate the 50th year of out Independence,
will be the best tribute to all the freedom fighters," Mr Sharma
said.

On the celebrations commemorating the 50th year of Independence,
the BJP leader said the nation had not yet been taken into
confidence either by the government or by the celebration committee
about the details of the year-long programme commencing from August
15, 1997.

Saying that it was imperative to plan the Golden Jubilee
celebrations in such a manner that the fervor is maintained till
the end, Mr Sharma suggested that "all attempts should be made to
project a factual and real pictures of the events without motivated
distortions."

"The opening and closing functions should be organised in a true
national nature and character and in no case the same should be
allowed to appear as a mere government functions or reduced to be a
partisan show. All care should be taken that the programmes
telecast on Doordarshan and relayed on AIR are inspiring and cover
the history without discrimination," Mr Sharma said.


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