MAHATMA GANDHI AND BHARAT MATA KI JAI

Of late some people are asserting with misplaced arrogance that recitation of Bharat Mata Ki Jai by a citizen is a sign of patriotism and refusal to do so means refusal to prove one's credentials as a patriot and nationalist. Many have been unfairly described as anti- nationals for their unwillingness to recite Bharat Mata Ki Jai and often they have been subjected to violence, abuse and humiliation. 

It is in such context of strident emphasis on muscular nationalism centering around   one slogan we need to reflect on nationalism which has always been a driving force in uniting people and mobilizing them to take up diverse issues.  In many phases of history humanity  has witnessed use of nationalism as a  fierce doctrine to arouse hatred and promote violence against nationalities  of other nations and stoke war and violence. Europe and rest of the world faced devastating consequences of aggression and hostility on account of nationalism which emerged in that continent in an intense form and became a major factor behind belligerence and hostility among nations. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore was extremely critical of nationalism of Europe and Japan and wrote against it. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose described that form of nationalism as “Narrow, selfish and arrogant.” In India the kind of nationalism which emerged in the context of our freedom struggle and in response to colonial rule and exploitation was tolerant, inclusive and all embracing.  

Of late there has been strident emphasis on nationalism. One specific slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'is being used to uphold nationalistic spirit and determine the extent of nationalism and patriotism of Indians.  There have been widespread resentments against such attempts.  The suspension of Mr. Waris Khan, a distinguished Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by the House unanimously by voice vote on the ground that he refused to recite 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' even as he was willing to recite 'Jai Hind' raised many questions regarding nationalism centered around one particular slogan.  It is in this context that we need to peep into history and comprehend the stand taken by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, Father of our Nation on the issue of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.  

Vande Mataram was Composed in the Context of Imposition of British National Anthem on Indians

From the collected works of Mahatma Gandhi it is evident that he equated Vande Mataram with Bharat Mata Ki Jai and preferred the former over later.  While he extensively used Vande Mataram in countless letters and articles he hardly used and recited Bharat Mata Ki Jai.  It is well known that Vande Mataram forms  part of Bankim Chandra’s novel Anand Math which was published in 1882. He composed Vande Mataram when the British administration was asking Indians to sing British national anthem 'God Save the Queen'.  The recitation of Vande Mataram captured the imagination of people and filled them with high sense of patriotism.  Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore for the first time recited the whole of Vande Mataram in the session of the Indian National Congress in 1896.  It was sung across Bengal and in many parts of India during Swadesi Movement in 1905. The first two stanzas of Vande Mataram were adopted by the Indian National Congress as national song in 1937 and other stanzas were dropped on the ground that those referred to Goddess Durga. In fact opposition of  Muslims to Vande Mataram arose on the point that it was part of a composition dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga and the recitation of it by them would go against  their religious faith which proscribed idol worship. . 

Lala Lajpat Roy established a Urdu newspaper Vande Mataram in Lahore. Some Indians started a journal Bande Mataram in Switzerland in the first decade of twentietn century and used it to incite violence and attacked Gopal Krishna Gokhle and Pherozeshah Mehta by describing them as  cowardly. Mahatma Gandhi disapproved of such approach and questioned the method of incitement to violence as a means to achieve independence.   

Gandhi Described Vande Mataram as Passionate Prayer to India

While in South Africa Mahatma Gandhi wrote a small article on Vande Mataram under the title 'The Heroic Song of Bengal' in Indian Opinion on 2ndDecember, 1905.  He stated in that article that the song proved so popular that it came to be the national anthem of India.  Adding that Bankim Chandra composed Vande Mataram after having realized that many western nations such as Britain, Germany and France had their national anthems Gandhiji asserted that Vande Mataram is 'nobler in sentiment and sweeter than the songs of other nations'.  He continued further and claimed that 'While other anthems contain sentiments that are derogatory to others, Bande Mataram is quite free from such faults.'  Describing it as a song of high order to arouse a sense of patriotism he wrote that it constituted a passionate prayer to India.  Gandhiji's aforementioned article on Vande Mataram song brought out his intense and irresistible love for it in the first half of the first decade of 20thcentury.  

Vande Mataram and First Satyagraha in South Africa

Vande Mataram had a spell binding effect as much on Mahatma Gandhi as on many other Indians who participated in the first Satyagraha launched in South Africa by Gandhiji. It was evident from his illuminating article “The Last Satyagraha Campaign: My Experience” written during July 1914. He mentioned in the article that people while participating in a march shouted several slogans such as “Victory to Dwarkanath”, “Victory to Ramchandra” and “Vande Mataram”. 

? Vande Mataram as Ode to Mother India

?On many occasions during freedom struggle and after independence he generously showered praise on Vande Mataram and gave it an exalted status. On 22ndApril 1918 he called it “the grand national song” and wrote that “We do not know in full the greatness of the song, its resonance and its tune”. 

?To comprehend the profound influence of Vande Mataram on him we need to go through some of his insightful writings on it and reflect on them. On 23rdAugust, 1947 while speaking at a prayer meeting in Calcutta he described it 'as an ode to Mother India' and went on to say that 'when the rest of India was almost asleep' 'the national song and the national cry of Bengal sustained her'.  Even prior to 1947 he wrote an article “National Flag” in Harijan on 1st July 1939 and reflected passionately on Vande Mataram in it and stated that 'No matter what its source was and how and when it was composed, it had become a most powerful battle-cry among Hindus and Mussalmans of Bengal during the partition days.'  Emphasizing that 'It was an anti-imperialist cry' he feelingly wrote about its profound impact on him by stating, 'As a lad, when I knew nothing of Anandmath or even Bankim, its immortal author, Vande Mataram had gripped me, and when I first heard it sung, it had enthralled me.' Adding further he asserted that 'I associated the purest national spirit with it.  It never occurred to me that it was a Hindu song or meant only for Hindus... Unfortunately we have fallen on evil days... It stirs to its death the patriotism of millions in and outside of Bengal.  Its chosen stanzas are Bengal's gift among many others to the whole nation.'  However, he categorically stated that he would not risk a single quarrel over singing Vande Mataram at a mixed gathering. 

Gandhi prescribed there slogans- Allah-o-Akbar, Bharat Mata Ki Jai  and Hindu Musalman Ki Ja

His reverence for Vande Mataram never ever closed his mind and made him narrow minded. With a remarkable open minded approach he understood its deep significance to promote nationalism and safeguard unity of our people. At the same time he underlined its importance in the context of the plurality of slogans suited to our social and religious diversity. It was evident in 1920 when   during Khilafat agitation people welcomed Gandhiji and Ali brothers by shouting "Mahatma Gandhi ki jai" and "Mohomed Ali-Shaukat Ali ki jai".  In such events recitation of VandeMataram by the Hindus met with recitation of  "Allah-o-Akbar" by Muslims.  Seeing such conflicting recitals he wrote an article entitled 'Three National Cries' in Young India on 8th September, 1920 and urged people irrespective of faith to recite three slogans - Allah-o-Akbar, Vande Mataram or Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Hindu Musalman Ki Jai.  He firmly believed that people professing diverse creeds would have no problem in reciting those slogans in the order given.  Particularly he felt that nobody would have any objection to recite Allah-o-Akbar as its meaning is “God is Great”. Very thoughtfully he stated that without Hindu Musalman Ki Jai, Bharat Mata ki Jai would not be complete. It is, therefore,  proven fact  that Gandhiji stressed on plurality of slogans in spite of his exceptional fondness for  Vande Mataram and his passionate use of it in several letters he wrote from  1911 to 1948.   ?In fact in response to his exhortations to people to recite three slogans several Hindus recited Vande Mataram and Allah oh Akbar on many occasions.

?In almost 650 letters written by Mahatma Gandhi since 1911 the concluding words were not “Yours sincerely” or “Yours Faithfully” but “Vande Mataram, Mohandas”. In several letters addressed to Muslims he used “Aadab”, “Vande Mataram” or “Blessings” as would be proper and fitting.  In one letter addressed to Ferozabehn Talyerakhan Gandhiji conveyed Vande Mataram to her on behalf of Sardar and Mahadev.

?The magical impact of Vande Mataram was so intense and irresistible that even people from abroad who visited India and met Gandhiji used to end their conversations with him and bid farewell by reciting “Vande Mataram” or “Salam”.

?Gandhi Inaugurated Bharat Mata Mandir 

It is very educative to note that in 1936 Mahatma Gandhi was requested by Shri Shivprasad Gupta to inaugurate Bharat Mata Mandir in Banaras. The shrinehad only one map of India which Shri Gupta had designed in the pattern of a relief map of India which he saw in one Prof. Karve’s Home for Widows in Pune. Inaugurating the temple on 25th October 1936 before a vast gathering of over 25,000 people which included Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains , Buddhists and Harijans from all parts of the country, Gandhiji said,“The temple contains no image of any God or Goddess. It has only a relief map of India made of marble stone in it. I hope this temple, which will serve as a cosmopolitan platform for people of all religions, castes and creeds including Harijans, will go a great way in promoting religious unity, peace and love in the country.” In fact the cosmopolitan outlook of Mahatma Gandhi defined his approach to the issue of nationalism and Vande Mataram or Bharat Mata Ki Jai. 

?

Gandhi was against imposition of any slogan 

In early 1940s he authored  Constructive Programme which contained 18 points to achieve independence for India and bring about positive social change through non-violence.  In the point concerning students he categorically wrote that "They may not impose Vande Mataram or the National Flag on others."   

When Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose coined Jai Hind slogan it electrified the nation and inculcated the values of patriotism and nationalism in the minds of all sections of society.  On 23rd February 1946 Gandhiji  in a statement issued to the press disapproved of attempts of some people to force others to recite Jai Hind.  He stated that "Inasmuch as a single person is compelled to shout 'Jai Hind' or any popular slogan a nail is driven into the coffin of Swaraj..."  

Gandhi wanted repertoire of national songs

On 23rd December, 1945 during a discussion with political workers when it was asked if Vande Mataram should be replaced by the new song "Qadam, Qadam", Gandhiji asserted that Vande Mataram associated with glorious sacrifice could never be given up.  However, he suggested that a new song or songs could certainly be added to the repertoire of national songs after due thought and discrimination.   

Gandhiji's stand was for “repertoire of national songs” and  against  imposition of any slogan on anybody.  In fact he wrote on 5th March, 1947 that "It would be terrible if people should recite 'victory to India' and work for her annihilation.  When some people in Bihar travelled ticketless in train and shouted Jai Hind he disapproved of use of such slogans as “a cry for loot and murder”.  As early as 18th February 1939 he wrote that to call the State as Hindu State or Muslim State constituted a libel on nationalism.  Use of force  on anybody to recite a slogan constitutes a libel on nationalism.

?Raising of Vande Mataram slogan is not enough 

At a time when some people consider the recitation of Bharat Mata Ki Jai as the only indicator of nationalism it is important to hark back to one of the instructive speeches of Mahatma Gandhi delivered at Baroda on 9th October 1919. He said “India is in such a plight today that we cannot afford to waste our time in ….parading ..processions, raising slogans of "Vande Mataram" and shouting "Glory to the Motherland!" Today our India is aflame with a triple fire”. He explained the “triple fire” by referring to prevalence of widespread starvation, lack of availability of clothes to people and high incidence of disease. In the context of starvation he said that, “The millionaires and multi-millionaires of Bombay are no true index of the conditions prevailing in India. We cannot adjudge India to be prosperous or otherwise on the basis of their condition. Assuredly, as long as the condition of the weavers and farmers in the seven and a half lakh villages in India is one of utter destitution, we cannot describe the country as prosperous”. He, therefore, prescribed a remedy and stated, “To rescue her from it, what is needed is not processions but physicians, not demonstrations but effective remedies. We need heroic men and heroic mothers”. 

?

?Vande Mataram cannot be recited to intimidate others

What is needed in India of twenty first century is “heroic men and heroic mothers” to find remedy to many challenges facing our nation. It cannot be done by imposition of slogans. While speaking in a prayer meeting on 3rd march 1947 in Patna, Mahatma Gandhi had said with pain and anguish that some people professing one faith shouted slogans for the purpose of striking fears in the minds and hearts of people professing different faiths. He said, “I have heard that Hindus here start shouting and threatening when they see Muslims. They raise the slogans of Jai Hind Vande Mataram. It is all very well to shout slogans; but we must make sure  that they do not terrorize, or intimidate or upset other people. We are guilty of a great sin. Do we intend to announce through our slogans that we are proud of these acts? Or that we regard them as right actions? Hindus in Noakhali were also afraid of the slogan Allah O Akbar raised by Muslims. The slogan merely means ‘God is Great’ and no one need be afraid of this slogan. But when slogans are used for a wrong purpose, their meanings too are misunderstood and they become curses instead of boons. Jai Hind does not mean victory to Hindus and defeat for Muslims. But nowadays the Muslims take it in that light because we have put it to wrong use and threatened them with it. When we hear the slogans shouted by another person we think that the other fellow is preparing for a fight, and we also start getting ready for it. If we go on fighting like this and wreak vengeance for one place upon another, rivers of blood will flow all over India and still the spirit of vengeance will not subside. Hindus should behave so affectionately that even if a Muslim child comes into their midst, they should wash and clean him, dress him well and shower him with such love that the child should feel entirely at home. Only when this happens will Muslims realize that Hindus have become their friends”.

Conclusion 

Persecution of a person for not saying Bharat Mata ki Jai even as he is more than willing to recite any other slogan  is like persecution of Prahalad in mythology by his father Hiranya Kashyup for praying Lord Hari in defiance of his dictation to pray Lord Shiva. Gandhiji considered Prahalad along with Jesus Christ, Imam Hussain and Mirabai as  fine examples of  Stayagrahis. This lesson from mythology combined with his cosmolitan approach to nationalism is relevant for the present debate on Bharat Mata ki Jai.

The author served as Officer on Special Duty and Press Secretary to President of India late Shri K R Narayanan and had a tenure as Director in Prime Minister's Office and Joint Secretary in Rajya Sabha Secretariat.