More important to act than sing: Akhilesh Yadav on Vande Mataram debate
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New Delhi: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday urged the government to prioritise action and social justice over symbolic gestures, commenting on the Vande Mataram discussion in Parliament.
The remarks came during a historic sitting of both Houses marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, where the ruling party highlighted the song’s role in India’s freedom struggle.
Speaking to reporters, Yadav said, “It is more important to act than to just sing. The Constitution contains many directives, and Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar showed the path. Where does the government stand on social justice? Where does it stand on your welfare? A ticket costing around fifty thousand rupees — what direction is the country heading in?”
He added, “Therefore, it is more important to act than to merely sing, and to understand the spirit behind it: that the country should be independent and free, and after Independence, laws should function properly, people should receive justice, and social justice should be ensured. How much progress have we made towards social justice?”
Yadav questioned the government’s commitment to welfare policies, citing rising costs and alleged neglect of constitutional duties.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked memories of the 1975 Emergency while commemorating the 150th year of Vande Mataram in Parliament, calling the national song a symbol of courage and resistance against authoritarianism.
As PM Modi entered the Lok Sabha, treasury members greeted him with chants of “Vande Mataram,” setting the tone for the milestone discussion.
The Prime Minister said, “We all have this great fortune in this House... On this historic occasion, we are witnessing a moment that brings to light the heart of history.” He urged lawmakers to view the discussion as an opportunity to educate future generations about India’s democratic evolution.
PM Modi reminded the House that during the song’s centenary, the nation was facing the Emergency — prompting chants of “shame” from treasury benches. He recalled how the Constitution was “strangled” and patriots jailed during that era.
With IANS inputs