Lucknow: The debate over the UP Assembly’s winter session agenda intensified after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav suggested discussions around the chanting of Vande Mataram. Responding to the remarks, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Thursday stated that the SP chief should not lecture on the topic, emphasizing the historic and unifying significance of the mantra.
Speaking to reporters, Maurya said, “Discussing Vande Mataram is about singing that great mantra of India, the mere mention of which, and the resounding chants of which, made the British flee India. This is the same great mantra whose proclamation will lead to a developed India, where the poor will become rich, farmers will prosper, women will be empowered, and the youth will have a bright future.”
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted that Vande Mataram is more than a slogan; it represents India’s heritage, freedom struggle, and aspirations for progress. He criticized political opposition for attempting to politicize the matter, asserting that the mantra is a tool for national unity and societal development rather than a topic for partisan debate.
The statement comes ahead of the UP Assembly winter session, where several politically sensitive topics, including cultural symbols and developmental policies, are expected to be raised. Maurya’s remarks underscore the BJP-led government’s narrative that national symbols like Vande Mataram inspire progress and empowerment across all sectors.
