Speaking at an event in Bhubaneshwar, Gitanjali Angmo, an environmentalist, educator, and the wife of Sonam Wangchuk, delivered a strong response to critics opposing the full recitation of Vande Mataram. Addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding the national song, she described objections raised against its later verses, specifically references to Hindu deities, as reflective of a childish mindset. Angmo asserted that language, literature, and cultural heritage should never be judged through narrow religious filters, calling instead for a broader appreciation of the nation's shared civilizational identity.
Objections to the National Song and Narrow Religious Perspectives
Gitanjali Angmo highlighted the various objections and barriers that have been raised regarding Vande Mataram in political and public discourses. She outlined the primary arguments frequently put forward by critics. The first contention rests on historical timing, suggesting that when Bankim Chandra Chatterji penned the song, India did not exist as a modern nation-state, thereby questioning how it could serve as a national emblem for the contemporary republic.
The second major objection centers on the references to Hindu deities contained within the song's subsequent stanzas. Critics argue that these religious motifs make it difficult for members of other faith communities to recite the poem in its entirety. Dismissing both arguments, Angmo emphasized that viewing timeless artistic creations and national symbols through such restrictive lenses is fundamentally flawed. She urged that national compositions belong to the entire country and should inspire unity rather than division.
Cultural Parallels: Sufi Poetry, Latin Opera, and the Sanskrit Language
To contextualize her viewpoint, Gitanjali Angmo drew parallels with international and regional artistic traditions. She noted that when individuals study Sufi poetry or learn Urdu ghazals, they engage with the works in their original Urdu phrasing. Singing a Sufi composition or appreciating Urdu literature does not compromise or corrupt the faith of a Hindu practitioner, nor does it diminish their personal beliefs.
Extending her argument to global classical arts, she cited Italian opera, which is traditionally learned and performed in Latin. Aficionados around the world celebrate the art form in its original linguistic structure without superimposing religious barriers. Similarly, she noted that the Vedas and Upanishads represent ten-thousand-year-old texts composed in Sanskrit. Linking Sanskrit, the Gayatri Mantra, or yoga practice directly to a specific religion or political party is a misconception. Sanskrit is an ancient language whose elevated chants and philosophical depth provide humans with inner strength to overcome life's challenges.
Symbolic Essence of Vande Mataram: Deities as Emblems of Power and Prosperity
Addressing questions regarding why Vande Mataram remains a focal point amid pressing societal problems, Gitanjali Angmo explained that advocating for the song does not divert attention from other national issues. Vande Mataram is not opposed to solving socio-economic challenges; rather, it serves as an empowering spirit that motivates citizens to confront and resolve those very difficulties with resilience.
Regarding the specific references to Goddess Durga and Goddess Lakshmi in the song, she advocated for a symbolic understanding rather than a purely literal or religious interpretation. Goddess Durga represents power and fortitude, while Goddess Lakshmi symbolizes prosperity and abundance. When envisioning the motherland, desiring strength and prosperity for the nation is a universal sentiment. She also recalled that during the independence movement, only the first two stanzas were officially adopted due to the poem's total length. This selective adoption was a matter of practical brevity, not a rejection of the remaining verses, stressing that a work of art should not be arbitrarily truncated.
Civilizational Continuity versus Political Geography
Gitanjali Angmo delineated the fundamental difference between the Western concept of statehood and India's ancient identity. While many modern nations emerged after the 1600s as politically defined geographic entities, India's existence predates these boundaries by several millennia. India has historically flourished as a continuous civilizational, spiritual, and cultural entity rather than merely a physical expanse of land or political unit.
Across centuries, from Kashmir in the north to the southern tip of the peninsula, thinkers and seekers across the land engaged with the fundamental philosophical question of ultimate truth. Revering the nation as a mother is an intrinsic aspect of this civilizational worldview. Vande Mataram encapsulates this bond, helping citizens connect deeply with the land that sustains them, much like a mother nurtures her child. Revering the motherland as a living entity is central to India's enduring heritage.
Vision of Sri Aurobindo, Bankim Chandra's Anandamath, and Historical Delay
Invoking the reflections of philosopher Sri Aurobindo, Gitanjali Angmo remarked that when Bankim Chandra Chatterji authored Vande Mataram within his novel Anandamath, he functioned not merely as a novelist but as a seer. As Sri Aurobindo observed, a seer possesses the spiritual sight to perceive deeper realities. Chatterji perceived the land not as inanimate topography, but as Shakti, a living, conscious entity with which citizens can forge a personal and spiritual connection.
She expressed regret that it took nearly 80 years after independence for the complete song to be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, describing its recent inclusion as a welcome and overdue milestone. Angmo reflected that had the nation possessed this profound civilizational understanding earlier in its history, India might have avoided the tragic partition that divided the subcontinent.
Political Polarization versus Public Unity
Reflecting on contemporary debates, Gitanjali Angmo asserted that discord over Vande Mataram does not stem from ordinary citizens, but is largely fueled by political discourse. She observed that politicians frequently exploit cultural symbols and promote divisive narratives to advance partisan agendas, creating artificial friction among communities.
She reminded the audience that during the freedom struggle, Vande Mataram served as a unifying rallying cry that energized millions of freedom fighters across diverse backgrounds. Political polarization should not be permitted to undermine a symbol of national inspiration. She called on society to embrace the song's unifying spirit and elevate it above political disputes.
Legacy of Cultural Assimilation and the Example of APJ Abdul Kalam
Highlighting India's long history of cultural assimilation, Gitanjali Angmo emphasized that the nation has continually welcomed and integrated external influences, including Mughal cultural elements, without losing its core heritage. However, accommodating diverse cultural streams should never translate into feeling ashamed of a ten-thousand-year-old tradition or diminishing one's own heritage to make room for others.
To illustrate this point, she cited the example of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who deeply appreciated India's diverse philosophical traditions and regularly read the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the works of Sri Aurobindo. Angmo shared that she personally reads Sufi poetry, reinforcing that engaging with diverse spiritual and literary works enriches an individual without corrupting their personal faith. Whether a Hindu speaks Urdu or a Muslim recites Sanskrit shlokas, such cross-cultural appreciation strengthens mutual respect without diluting religious devotion.
