Rajya Sabha sees new push for national song status, both Houses adjourned
New Delhi, July 24: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha on Friday to give the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ equal status to the national anthem.
Nityanand Rai alleged in the House that the opposition is misleading the people regarding the bill. He said that on January 24, 1950, Dr Rajendra Prasad had said that the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ would also receive respect. Both the national anthem and the national song should be respected equally.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha continued to face disruptions due to the opposition’s uproar on Friday. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha began their proceedings with tributes to the martyred soldiers on Kargil Day (July 26). Following this, the Lok Sabha was adjourned first at 12 noon and later until Monday. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned first until 12 noon, then until 2 p.m., and then until Monday.
When the Rajya Sabha resumed proceedings at 2 p.m., Nityanand Rai introduced a bill to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. CPI leader Sandosh Kumar P and CPI(M) leader John Brittas opposed the bill.
Brittas argued that Parliament cannot alter the fundamental provisions of the Constitution by enacting ordinary legislation. The Constituent Assembly, after nearly three years of intense deliberation, deliberately did not grant equal constitutional status to the national anthem and the national song. If the framers of the Constitution had such an intention, they would have clearly stated it.
He argued that patriotism and nationalism cannot be forged through law. The bill appears to be aimed at polarizing society.
Sandosh Kumar argued that Indians should not be divided. Leaders of India’s freedom movement, including Rabindranath Tagore, understood this. This is why only two variations of the national anthem were adopted. They oppose the bill, arguing that it attempts to create an artificial division between Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju once again urged the opposition to discuss the student issue. He stated that the Prime Minister has assured the nation, and that the social activist (Sonam Wangchuk) has also called for a discussion after ending her hunger strike. He urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to address the issue with his party colleagues.
Earlier in the morning, since July 26th was a Sunday, tributes were paid to the Kargil martyrs. The Lok Sabha Speaker said that today is the 27th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. This day symbolizes the unparalleled valor and supreme sacrifice of our Indian Armed Forces. This House respectfully salutes those brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who, despite the extremely inaccessible mountainous terrain, adverse conditions, and adverse weather, displayed unparalleled courage and unwavering resolve and protected the integrity and sovereignty of the country by making the supreme sacrifice. The Rajya Sabha also paid tribute to the Kargil martyrs.
