Controversy erupted in connection with the performance of the full song Vande Mataram in the concluding ceremony of the Onam festival celebrated by the government in Keralam. The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has attacked the UDF government for “surrendering to the RSS.”
The State President of DYFI, Chintha Jerome, has criticized the explanation provided by the Cultural Minister that it was according to protocol, stating that it was just a recommendation and not compulsory.
The criticism is that through their zealous championing of Vande Mataram and nationalism, BJP has put their patriotism at the risk of becoming political rather than true patriotism in its true sense. In a culturally diverse nation such as India, patriotism should not depend on how well one conforms to a cultural performance.
This is especially so for South India, where the states have always laid claim to their linguistic, cultural and regional identities but at the same time have been totally loyal to the Union of India. This kind of imposition by the Centre and ideological organizations such as RSS is yet another assault on the idea of federalism and pluralistic society.
Keralam also needs to explain how the inclusion of the complete song in the official schedule is based on some specific protocol.
In case the guideline is not compulsory, then the use of “protocol” without clarification may convey the wrong idea that political influence was involved in making an official cultural occasion.
BJP and RSS need to realize that national unity does not mean cultural homogeneity. Strength of India is in its diversity. India’s strength comes from the fact that it accommodates regional diversities along with dignity. Nationalist symbols do not reinforce democracy.
