Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during a function on the occasion of 125th anniversary of Vivekananda's Chicago Address and birth centenary of Deendayal Upadhyay in New Delhi on Monday. PTI Photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the votaries of Vande Mataram to ponder if they have any right to chant the slogan when they do not maintain cleanliness and “spit on Bharat Mata (Mother India) after chewing paan”.
“I get goosebumps when I hear Vande Mataram. I am asking this to India: do we have the right to chant Vande Mataram? I know many would be hurt by what I am saying. But, think of it 50 times and say if it is okay to spit on Bharat Mata after chewing paan (betel leaf) and chant Vande Mataram? Can we litter Ganga and then take a holy dip?” he said.
He was addressing a student leaders’ convention organised by the Deendayal Research Institute under the aegis of the Union government to mark the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s address at World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. The prime minister also asked people to introspect if they have respect for women in the country.
“I pay my regards to people who respect women. But those who do not have such humanity, must introspect and say if they have any right to take legitimate pride in the opening words of Vivekanand’s Chicago address — Brothers and sisters of America,” he said.
Campus politics
The prime minister took a swipe at politics on campus, saying the journey of student politics in India since its inception is a topic that can be deliberated on separately.
“Students celebrate Rose Day on campus. I do not have any problem with this. We do not want to create robots. We need creativity. But, has any candidate contesting or winning (students’ union elections) ever proposed to maintain cleanliness on campus?” he said. Modi exhorted the youth to work towards national integration and contribute to the making of a ‘new and modern’ India, following the footsteps of Vivekananda and other tall leaders of the country.
“The world evaluates India where it is today, not what it was 5,000 years ago or during the times of Lord Rama or Buddha. The world has accepted our journey from the Upanishads to satellites. We have to go much beyond that,” the prime minister said, exhorting youth to “innovate and create”.
DH News Service