A write up on the front page of Indian Express, September 7, 2006, captioned ?BJP wants the Vande Mataram test today?, why others are opposed? is shocking. The objectionable para in the write up is reproduced below:-
?Book of Bankim
Anand Math a virulently anti-Muslim novel set in the background of Bengal famine of 1770. Vande Mataram first appeared in Bangadarshan, where the novel was being serialised, in 1881; in context the song is a cry to free ?Mother? from Muslim rule.?
This is a great lie. Had it been anti-Muslim rule, Tagore would not have sung it and congress would not have adopted it. Our constituent assembly accepted it as national song, because, it inspired the freedom fighters, as the song has national ethos. But the idea to say it anti-Muslims & Muslim rule is ill conceived to widens the gulf between Hindus and Muslims. The Trouble is surely ahead, and this has to be nipped in the buds.
Not sure, whether this has drawn the attention of congress, particularly Shri Arjun Singh and their leaders from Bengal, as it betrays historical facts. This distortion is aimed to disrepute the great writer of 19th Century Shri Bankim Chander Chatterjee.
This historical fact, as written by a great historian Dr Ishwari Prasad, taught in the school books even during British rule, is that, after the defeat of Nawab Sirajudllah the king of Bengal by Britishers (East India company) in the battle of plassey due to the treachery by Mir Jaffer, Britishers rewarded him by installing him as puppet Nawab. Sirajudllah'sloyal Hindu General Mohan Lall laid down his life in the battle field. He is even today a revered hero in Bengal for his supreme sacrifice.
The administration in Bengal came under British rule, with all powers including collection of land revenue and puppet Nawab was paid a small sum as yearly pension, which he was wasting on women and wine.
Now the point to think is, whether Mie Jaffar'srule can be called Muslim Swadeshi rule, when administration was run under the dictates of Britishers, and Nawab was forced to sign orders which were against the interest of masses, who lived in panic. Mir Jaffar has been remembered as a traitor in Bengal. Bankim Chandra'snovel ?Anand Math? highlights that how disrespectfully, and rudely Britishers treated with puppet Nawab, and how cruel and barbarous they were in collecting land revenue from famine stricken poor peasants. It is at this time of dire need, the sanyasis and brahamcharis of Anand Math, inspired by Vande Mataram and fully supported by peasants & workers in the villages, fought fiercely to free the country from the British yokes.
Then why leftists are averse to it, when the fight was against the anti-people forces?
Muslims definitely need honest and objective introspection, whether they or country can be ever proud of Mir Jaffar'srule? As the history goes further he died in mysterious circumstances, in his place Mir Qasim was crowned as Nawab of Bengal. He too was removed in a few years, and then finally Bengal openly came under the British rule called ?Company Sarkar? (East India Company)
(The author can be contacted at 89/7 East Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi-26)
