Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s Descendant Demands Unconditional Apology from Sonia Gandhi Over Vande Mataram Controversy
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The political storm surrounding the alleged hesitation to sing Vande Mataram during Independence Day celebrations at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi has intensified significantly. The controversy has now drawn sharp condemnation from the family of the immortal song's creator. Sumitro Chatterjee, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from West Bengal and a direct descendant of the legendary novelist and patriot Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has penned a strongly worded 14-page open letter to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, demanding a public and unconditional apology for what he termed an insult to the national song.
A 14-Page Letter Highlighting Historical Significance and Deep Grief
Writing as both a concerned citizen and a descendant of Bankim Chandra, Sumitro Chatterjee expressed deep anguish and emotional distress over the incident that transpired on August 15, 2026. During the Independence Day event, a video surfaced showing senior Congress leaders allegedly halting or showing reluctance toward the full rendition of Vande Mataram after the national anthem. Chatterjee condemned the act, noting that repeating historical compromises with the national song in independent India is utterly unacceptable and dishonors the supreme sacrifices made by freedom fighters such as Khudiram Bose. Citing Sri Aurobindo’s profound praise for the hymn as the ultimate mantra of patriotism, Chatterjee argued that undermining the song hurts the collective sentiments of the nation, particularly the people of West Bengal.
Tracing the Legacy of Vande Mataram and Criticizing Congress's Past Stance
In his detailed missive, Chatterjee revisited the glorious history of Vande Mataram and its indispensable role in uniting India during the freedom struggle. He recalled how the patriotic anthem was resonantly sung by Sarala Devi Chaudharani at the 1906 Varanasi Congress session, championed by Bal Gangadhar Tilak during his 1909 sedition trial, and chanted defiantly by nationalist students at Osmania University in 1938 against oppressive restrictions. Furthermore, Chatterjee accused the Congress party of historical double standards, pointing out that the party had curtailed the song in October 1937 following objections raised by Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He questioned why the party's top leadership remains uncomfortable with a hymn that even its own West Bengal student wing, the Chhatra Parishad, proudly embraces.
Demanding Accountability and Unconditional Repentance
Reiterating that Vande Mataram belongs to every Indian as an immortal legacy of freedom and national identity rather than any single political entity, Chatterjee urged Sonia Gandhi to engage in deep introspection. He concluded his appeal by demanding an immediate, unconditional apology addressed to all citizens of the country and specifically to the grieving populace of West Bengal, whose cultural and patriotic pride was deeply wounded by the episode at the party headquarters.
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