Kangana Ranaut backs Vande Mataram, counters Sharmila Tagore's concerns over religious references

Actor Kangana Ranaut has defended the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ after veteran actor Sharmila Tagore raised concerns that some of its verses invoking Hindu deities could be difficult for people who follow monotheistic faiths to accept.

The debate over the song has resurfaced amid discussions about its status as India's National Song and its distinction from the National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’. Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s and later included in his novel Anandamath, ‘Vande Mataram’ became a powerful rallying cry during India's freedom movement.

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The song's first two stanzas celebrate the beauty and landscape of the motherland, while later verses invoke Hindu goddesses including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The references have become a point of contention in discussions over whether the entire song should be treated uniformly.

Tagore recently said people who believe in a single God may find some portions of the song difficult to embrace, arguing that the first two stanzas could be more widely accepted.

“My point of view is that there are many religious people who believe in one single God, not many Gods. In 'Vande Mataram', there is a stanza which says that many Gods are mentioned in 'Vande Mataram',” Tagore said.

She added that references to Hindu goddesses in the later verses could pose difficulties for people from monotheistic faiths.

“It is difficult for those who believe in one religion to say, 'Vande Kali, Vande Durga'. Therefore, if we take all the religious people in India together, the first two stanzas are very good,” she said.

Ranaut responded by sharing a video of Tagore's interview on her Instagram Stories. While saying she appreciated Tagore for articulating her concerns, Ranaut questioned what she described as a restrictive interpretation of poetry and art.

Also Read: Congress to stick to 1937 resolution on Vande Mataram

“I appreciate that Sharmila ji has spoken about her reservation on Vande Mataram, but I am shocked as an artist how can her views on art/poetry can be so limiting and contrived, in any poetry or song words are metaphors, a poet or artist uses all kinds of imaginations draws unbelievable parallels to bring about the desirable effect, Vande Matram is the spirit of freedom struggle Bankim Chandra ji is compelling the nation to awaken the Shakti within, how can you reduce such a great piece of art to mere religious practice.”

Ranaut argued that references to Shakti in poetry can be understood as metaphors for strength and empowerment rather than solely as religious references. She cited Swami Vivekananda's emphasis on strength and urged people to move beyond religious divisions.

“Vivekananda famously said I need youth who are made of iron, bones of steel and veins in which runs thunderbolt, he was not giving weather forecast, he was simply demanding Shakti to rise, please come out of Hindu Muslim mindset even if we believe in one God doctors also call power Shakti, let's embrace each other like our own, I absolutely love you and don't mind a crushing hug like you always give me.”

‘Jana Gana Mana’ is India's National Anthem, while ‘Vande Mataram’ holds the status of the National Song and occupies a significant place in the country's history of independence.