New Delhi: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday asserted that the Congress party laid the foundation for ‘Vande Mataram’ and played a historic role in shaping the nation’s identity.
Addressing the media at Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi, Shivakumar said, “Our party laid the foundation for ‘Vande Mataram’. It is our party that gave this country the national flag, the national anthem, the Constitution and Independence. It is our party that has served this nation.”
He added that the fact that the BJP and other parties are now following the Congress tradition brings satisfaction to his party. “Now the BJP and others are following us. That itself gives us happiness,” he remarked.
Responding to questions about demands to accord ‘Vande Mataram’ the same status as the national anthem and make it mandatory, Shivakumar maintained that the Congress has always respected the song. “We sing ‘Vande Mataram’ at every stage while beginning our programmes. We give respect to ‘Vande Mataram’ and we follow it,” he said.
Referring to past decisions taken by the Congress government in Karnataka, Shivakumar cited the move to make Kuvempu’s ‘Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate’ compulsory as the state anthem during the tenure of former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna. He noted that the anthem reflects inclusivity and communal harmony.
“It contains the line ‘Sarvajanangada Shantiya Thota’ — a garden of peace for all communities. Hindus, Christians and Muslims are all mentioned in the song itself. We are the ones who have grown up on such soil,” he said.
When asked whether such a move would lead to two national anthems, Shivakumar responded cautiously, saying, “We will speak about that later.”
On internal political developments, particularly remarks made by his brother and former Congress MP D.K. Suresh that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would keep his word despite delays, Shivakumar remained cryptic. “I have said that time will give the answer. I have also said that only we know what we have spoken about,” he stated.
Pressed further on when that “time” would come, he replied, “I will tell you at the appropriate time.”
Regarding speculation about a meeting with Priyanka Gandhi, Shivakumar clarified that he had only visited the Congress office and is currently occupied with Assam election work. “Why discuss different issues in different ways? I will speak about this later. Time will give the answer,” he concluded.
