Vande Mataram Celebrations Are the Reclamation of Identity: J Nandakumar
Introductory Memo: A two-day seminar on the literary, historical, and cultural significance of Vande Mataram, held at the Central University of Kerala in Kasaragod to mark its 150th anniversary, faced an attempted disruption by activists associated with SFI, KSU, MSF, and AISF, following opposition from CPM, Congress, and jihadi organisations to the participation of Prajna Pravah national coordinator J. Nandakumar. Police prevented protesters from entering the seminar hall, while the event proceeded as scheduled and began with the full rendition of Vande Mataram. In his keynote address, Nandakumar described the renewed celebration of the song as a reclaiming of India’s national identity and collective memory, highlighting its role in inspiring the freedom struggle and urging reflection on why India could resist the 1905 partition of Bengal but failed to prevent the 1947 Partition. The seminar was organised by the Central University of Kerala, Sahitya Akademi, and Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, with writer Malanvi Narayanan inaugurating it and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar attending the valedictory session.
Analytical view/ Analysis: The combined protest and move against Vandemataram and Sangha parivar organizations is an indication of future threat.Jihadi left elements are wresting the control of the campus.
An attempt was made to disrupt the two-day seminar held at the Central University of Kerala in connection with the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
The protest against the participation of J. Nandakumar, national coordinator of Prajna Pravah, in the programme was led by the CPM, Congress, and jihadi organisations. The protesters had also said that they would not allow Vande Mataram to be sung in full.
The two-day seminar was organised at the Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, under the aegis of the Central University, Sahitya Akademi, and Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad. The literary, historical, and cultural significance of Vande Mataram was the main theme of the two-day seminar. The police stopped SFI, KSU, MSF, and AISF activists who tried to push their way into the seminar hall. Although they demanded that they too be allowed to participate in the seminar, which required prior registration, the organisers did not yield. The seminar began with Vande Mataram being sung in full.
In his keynote address, J. Nandakumar said that the resonance of Vande Mataram celebrations across India is the return of the nation’s identity. Vande Mataram had been forgotten for years. The situation has now changed. This should be celebrated and valued. The greatest challenge faced by a nation is loss of memory. That is what India went through. Attempts from certain quarters were responsible for this. Now we are reclaiming it. As Swami Vivekananda said, look as far back as you can; we must look back in order to move forward with the fullness of development. Students took to the streets of protest simply on hearing Vande Mataram. No other motivation was needed. Ordinary women and men found strength in these two words. Vande Mataram had the power to lead a great struggle to victory. It inspired the whole of India to fight against colonialism. They succeeded in doing so. However, he said, we must think about why, when we were able to resist and defeat the partition of Bengal in 1905, we could not prevent the partition in 1947.
The seminar was inaugurated by writer Malanvi Narayanan. Central University of Kerala Vice Chancellor Professor Siddu P Algur was the distinguished guest. Sunaina Singh presided. At the valedictory session held on Wednesday morning, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was the chief guest. K P Ramanunni delivered the valedictory message.
Reference
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