RSS and BJP want to erase the legacy of Congress’s sacrifice, penance, and struggle during the freedom movement: Ashok Gehlot
The Sunday Mail
Jaipur.।. Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, extended greetings to everyone on the completion of 150 years of Vande Mataram. He expressed concern over the politicization of the events being organized under this occasion and accused the BJP-led union government of attempting to weaken the legacy of the freedom movement by using the historic occasion of the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram.
Addressing a press conference held at his residence in Jaipur on Friday, Sh. Gehlot said, “My allegation is that these people (RSS & BJP) want to end the legacy; there is an attempt to forget the glorious tradition of sacrifice, penance, and devotion associated with our freedom.”
The former Chief Minister said that the BJP got the opportunity to come to power in the name of religion, but that does not mean they should try to erase the legacy of Congress.
He also said that the RSS had no connection with the freedom movement. “During British rule, they were in collaboration with them; they did not hoist the tricolor for decades, did not accept the Constitution, and even burnt effigies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Sardar Patel himself had banned the RSS, and now they are trying to claim Sardar Patel as their own.”
He further stated that the Congress’s legacy is the same as that of India’s freedom movement something they are proud of and made it clear that “no one has the right to erase this legacy and make future generations remember only RSS or BJP in history. We will not accept this.”
Sh.Gehlot said, “The RSS and BJP are living in guilt. They have never believed in the Constitution. Vande Mataram became an inspirational song for freedom fighters in 1896, and it was first sung by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at the Calcutta Session. Since then, this song has been sung regularly at every Congress Block Committee, District Committee, or Session.
Commenting on the RSS song Namaste Sada Vatsale, he said, “Your song is Namaste Sada Vatsale; tell me, have you ever sung Vande Mataram at any RSS shakha? Have you ever even discussed Vande Mataram?”
He appreciated the decision to celebrate the anniversary but added, “We would like the 150th anniversary to be celebrated in such a way that the entire nation participates Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis, and Jains everyone should be included. The government programs organized for this occasion should not be made into BJP’s events but should be inclusive of all.”
