The Birth of the Poem: Who Wrote Vande Mataram?

Vande Mataram was written around 1870 by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, one of Bengal’s most influential novelists.
He later included it in his famous novel Anandamath (1882).

Who was Bankim Chandra?

• A pioneering Bengali writer

• Deputy Magistrate under the British

• Advocated Hindu cultural revivalism

• Strongly believed in uplifting Hindu identity during colonial rule

He was not a political leader, nor a member of any Hindu organization (like RSS, which was founded long after he died),
but his ideology later influenced Hindu nationalist thought.

2. The Meaning Behind Vande Mataram

In the poem, India is described as:

• Mother

• Goddess

• Source of strength

• Similar to Durga with divine attributes

The words “Vande Mataram” literally mean:

“I bow to the Mother (Goddess).”

This imagery was intentional.
Bankim Chandra used Hindu goddess symbolism to emotionally inspire Hindu readers.

3. Why Did He Use Bharat Mata?

✦ Inspiration for Hindu masses

Bankim believed Hindu society needed a revival.

✦ Emotional mobilization

The image of a mother-goddess was meant to awaken bravery and spiritual duty.

✦ Cultural pride

It blended patriotism with religious devotion — a powerful force in that era.

Thus Bharat Mata became a divine figure, not just a metaphor.

4. How Did the Song Become Popular?

Initially, Vande Mataram was popular only among Hindu audiences because:

• It came from a Hindu-themed novel

• It was filled with goddess worship imagery

• It resonated deeply with Hindu devotional culture

Turning Point:

In 1896, Rabindranath Tagore sang it at the Indian National Congress session.
Then in 1905, during the Swadeshi Movement, it became the anthem of Hindu-led protests against the partition of Bengal.

It was adopted as a patriotic chant —
but the inspiration came primarily from Hindu religious symbolism.

5. Muslim Objections Begin (And Why They Are Valid)

Muslims objected not because of nationalism, but because of religious doctrine.

Islam teaches:

❌ You cannot bow to,

❌ praise, or
❌ worship anyone besides Allah.

But Vande Mataram requires:

• Bowing to Mother Goddess

• Praising India in the form of Durga

• Using devotional expressions meant only for divine beings

This is shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is strictly forbidden.

Therefore:

✔ Muslims can love India

✔ Muslims can die for India

✔ Muslims can serve and protect their nation

But they cannot sing verses that praise a goddess.

6. Muslim Leaders During Freedom Struggle

Prominent Muslim freedom fighters like:

• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

• Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar

• Maulana Shaukat Ali

• Maulana Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi

all respected the national movement but avoided singing Vande Mataram for theological reasons.

Their patriotism was unquestionable — yet they held firm to their faith.

7. The Common-Sense Logic (Your 3 Analogies Added)

To explain this clearly, here are simple examples anyone can understand:

🍋 Analogy 1 — National Fruit: Mango

If mango is India’s national fruit…
does every Indian have to eat mango?
No.

What about:

• Diabetic people?

• People allergic to mango?

• Those who simply don’t like the taste?

If they refuse mango,
does that make them anti-national?
Of course not.

🌳 Analogy 2 — National Tree: Banyan (Bargad)

Banyan is the national tree of India.
Should every Indian grow a banyan tree inside their home?

Is it practical?
No.

Does refusing to plant a banyan tree mean someone is against India?

Again, no.

🏑 Analogy 3 — National Game: Hockey

Hockey is the national game of India.
But 90% of Indians love cricket more.

Does that mean:

• Virat Kohli fans are anti-national?

• People who don’t watch hockey hate India?

Of course not.

⭐ What These Examples Prove

Not every “national symbol” is mandatory.

Loving India does NOT require:

• Eating mangoes

• Growing banyan trees

• Watching hockey

• Or singing Vande Mataram

Patriotism comes from respect, loyalty, honesty, and contribution —
not from forced rituals.

8. A Fair Comparison: Vande Mataram and Jihad

During the same era:

✔ Hindu society used “Bharat Mata” to inspire resistance

✔ Muslim ulema used “jihad against oppression” to inspire resistance

Both were cultural and religious motivators against British injustice.
But BOTH belonged to that era of colonial struggle, not today.

Just like:

Muslims today do NOT call for jihad against Britishers — because British Raj is over…

Similarly:

Hindus today should not pressure Muslims to sing devotional Hindu songs — because those symbols belong to a historic context, not modern civic duty.

9. Constitutional Position: Forcing Anyone Is Illegal

✔ Article 19(1)(a):

Freedom of speech → No one can be forced to say or sing anything.

✔ Article 25:

Freedom of religion → Muslims have the right to avoid religiously conflicting lines.

✔ Supreme Court (Bijoe Emmanuel Case, 1986):

No one can be forced to sing even the National Anthem.

So the National Song — which has no mandatory status —
cannot be forced under any circumstance.

10. The True Spirit of India

Real patriotism is:

• voluntary

• heartfelt

• sincere

Not forced.

India’s strength comes from:

• Hindu devotion

• Muslim discipline

• Sikh bravery

• Christian service

• Buddhist compassion

• Jain nonviolence

• Tribal courage

Not from making one community follow another’s religious expressions.