Jai Hind, Inquilab Zindabad are equally important, says Su. Venkatesan

CPI(M) MP Su. Venkatesan on Monday said in the Lok Sabha that the slogans ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ were no less important than ‘Vande Mataram’.

“Lakhs of people were inspired by these slogans; they faced gallows, guns and cannons. They gathered at Jallianwala Bagh, destroyed ammunition in Chittagong, collected salt in Dandi and ran Swadeshi Shipping Corporation in Thoothukudi. But under which slogan did you (RSS and Sangh Parivar) rally? You threw your weight behind those against whom these slogans were raised. Even those who participated in the freedom movement wrote an apology,” he said while participating in the debate on 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’.

Mr. Venkatesan said the politics of the Sangh Parivar stood thoroughly exposed after it sought a debate, even though it had supported British rule.

“The slogan ‘Ishwar Allah Tere Naam’ echoed louder than ‘Vande Mataram’ because of the pluralistic nature of India. Have you ever uttered ‘Ishwar Allah Tere Naam’? The BJP government in Maharashtra has issued a circular insisting on singing all six stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’. How can you decide what others should sing? Who has given you that right? You are reopening old wounds as it benefits you,” he alleged.

Mr. Venkatesan said while everyone in Tamil Nadu saw the deepam lit at Uchipillaiyar Temple, they chose to notice only the dargah at Thirupparankundram.

“People need bhakti. But you need only animosity. Everyone requires spirituality, but you need riots,” he said.