Amra Bangali Party protests against the politicization of “Vande Mataram” during Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 150th birth anniversary, slamming both central and state governments for exploiting cultural heritage amid voter suppression fears under NRC and SIR policies.
The Amra Bangali Party on Sunday launched a sharp protest in front of its state headquarters, accusing both the central and state governments of politicizing the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay — the revered author of “Vande Mataram.” The demonstration, led by State Secretary Gouranga Rudra Pal, drew attention to what the party called the misuse of cultural icons for electoral benefits ahead of the crucial West Bengal assembly polls.
Rudra Pal, addressing the gathering, asserted that the spirit of “Vande Mataram” — once a revolutionary anthem of India’s freedom struggle — was being diluted by political opportunism. “The song inspired countless freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the country. Today, its sacred essence is being used to serve political ambitions rather than honoring its true meaning,” he said.
The protestors carried placards demanding that the legacy of Bankim Chandra not be reduced to a political slogan. They accused the government of transforming a moment of national pride into an electoral campaign, drawing sharp contrasts between past and present attitudes toward Bengal’s cultural icons.
Pal lashed out at the ruling party, recalling how “Rabindranath Tagore was once disrespected, and the singing of ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ was labeled as sedition.” He argued that the same political actors now attempting to glorify “Vande Mataram” were guilty of hypocrisy. “When it suits their politics, they embrace our culture. When it doesn’t, they attack it. This selective nationalism must be condemned,” he added.
Concerns Over NRC and SIR Policies
Beyond cultural issues, the Amra Bangali Party voiced deep concern over what it called systemic attempts to disenfranchise Bengali voters through the NRC (National Register of Citizens) and SIR (Suspected Illegal Residents) mechanisms. Pal cited alarming reports from Bihar, claiming that approximately 6.5 million voter names had been removed from electoral rolls under the SIR scheme.
“The silence of the Election Commission is disturbing,” he said. “People have the right to know how many so-called ‘illegal immigrants’ have been identified and how many genuine Indian citizens have been wrongfully excluded.”
Pal suggested that the central government’s vision of a “Developed India by 2047” might be masking a more troubling agenda — the gradual suppression of voter rights. “This slogan may sound patriotic, but it hides the fear that many genuine citizens now face. They live with the anxiety of being declared foreigners in their own land,” he remarked.
Impact on Bengali Psyche and Society
Amra Bangali leaders further highlighted the psychological toll of these policies, alleging that widespread fear and confusion over voter status had already led to tragic consequences, including suicides across several districts. “When people start doubting their own citizenship despite generations of belonging, it shatters their sense of security and dignity,” Pal said solemnly.
The protestors demanded immediate intervention to stop the misuse of the NRC and SIR mechanisms, and called for a transparent, humane process that protects the rights of every Bengali voter. “Citizenship should not be turned into a political weapon,” they said in unison.
Call to Preserve Cultural Integrity
Concluding the protest, the Amra Bangali Party reiterated that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s contributions to Indian nationalism must remain above partisan politics. “Vande Mataram is not a campaign slogan. It’s a sacred chant of freedom and unity,” Pal declared, urging the government to celebrate the writer’s 150th birth anniversary with dignity, inclusivity, and respect.
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The party’s statement also appealed to intellectuals, artists, and civil society organizations to resist any attempt to divide the Bengali identity for political gain. “Bankim Chandra belonged to the entire nation, not to a single ideology or party. To politicize his legacy is to dishonor the very spirit of India’s freedom,” the statement concluded.
