Kolkata: The XVII Mountain Strike Corps, or Brahmastra Corps, of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command, has paid respects to the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ and its creator Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
The nation is celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram this year and the Union government has made the playing of all six stanzas of the song mandatory at official events where the national anthem is also played.
The West Bengal government has also made singing of Vande Mataram compulsory at all the schools and recognised madrasas every day in the state.
Chattopadhyay was born at Kanthalpara village in Naihati of North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
The house where he was born in Naihati is now a museum with a library and research centre.
An Army band reached the house during the day and played some soul-stirring music, enchanting members of Chattopadhyay’s descendents and locals.
“The Eastern Command’s Brahmastra Corps presented a soulful Pipe Band Display at Naihati, birthplace of #Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, marking 150 years of Vande Mataram and Independence Day 2026. The display was witnessed by Shantanu Chatterjee, fifth generation descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and students and teachers of nearby schools,” the Eastern Command said on social media platform X.
“A stirring tribute to India’s heritage, unity and enduring spirit of patriotism,” it added.
Vande Mataram was composed by Chattopadhyay in 1876 and used in his novel Anandamath.
In 1905, the song, which salutes the nation as a mother, was adopted by the Indian National Congress to whip up nationalistic fervour among the people during the freedom struggle.
In 1950, Vande Mataram was adopted as the national song. However, only the first two stanzas were to be used.
The present Narendra Modi-led Union government has changed that and made the whole song compulsory at official events.
The Parliament also passed a Bill to provide legal protection to Vande Mataram under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.
On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Bill, turning it into a law. With this, Vande Mataram now shares nearly the same status as the national anthem.
People have to rise when it is played and any insult to the song can attract punishment.
People at Kanthalpara have said that they were moved by the Army’s gesture to honour both Chattopadhyay and Vande Mataram.
(IANS)
