Vande Mataram’s cuts sowed seeds of Partition: Modi

IN a veiled criticism of the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said significant stanzas of the ‘Vande Mataram’ were axed in 1937, which sowed the seeds of Partition. He further asserted that 'divisive philosophy' is still a challenge before the country.

- PARVEZ SULTAN @New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases a commemorative coin and stamp to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram, in New Delhi on Friday | PTI

“The spirit of Vande Mataram illuminated the entire nation during the freedom struggle. But unfortunately, in 1937, the key verses of Vande Mataram, a part of its soul, were separated. This division of Vande Mataram also sowed the seeds of the nation's division. Why was this great mantra of nation-building treated with such injustice? This is important for today's generation to understand because that divisive thinking remains a challenge for the country even today,” Modi said.