TMC Hits Out: ‘Bengal Won’t Accept This Vande Mataram Politics’

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TMC’s Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar accuses the Modi government of misusing Bengal’s freedom icons, politicising Vande Mataram, and ignoring the state’s historic sacrifices.

By TRH Political Desk

New Delhi, December 8, 2025 — Trinamool Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on Monday delivered a sharp and emotionally charged speech in the Lok Sabha, accusing the Modi government of politicising Vande Mataram and disrespecting Bengal’s historic role in India’s freedom struggle. She said the national song is “not just poetry or prayer but a deep emotional force that awakened a nation.”

Ghosh Dastidar highlighted Bengal’s sacrifices during colonial rule, noting that out of 585 political prisoners in the Cellular Jail, 398 were Bengalis who fought selflessly for India’s liberation. Recalling the martyrdom of Khudiram Bose, she said his final words, “Ekbar biday de Ma, ghure ashi,” still echo in Bengal’s collective memory.

She alleged that those currently in power “cannot understand this legacy,” claiming that ideological predecessors of the ruling party once sought compromises with the British. “While our revolutionaries walked to the gallows smiling, your predecessors were bowing to the Empire,” she charged.

The TMC MP criticised the government for issuing and retracting a controversial parliamentary circular without explanation. “Orders are passed, withdrawn in minutes, but no apology is offered. This is unacceptable,” she said, also questioning the lack of action against ruling party MPs accused of violations.

Ghosh Dastidar said she received “hundreds of messages from West Bengal” expressing outrage over Prime Minister Modi referring to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay as “Bankim da.” She said the people of Bengal viewed the phrase as disrespectful and politically motivated. Drawing parallels to the 2019 vandalism of Vidyasagar’s statue during a BJP rally, she added, “Bengal does not forget disrespect to its icons.”

The TMC MP said the debate on Vande Mataram was being used to divert attention from real public issues. “Using our icons for politics — Bengal will not accept this,” she declared.