Date:23/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/23/stories/2006082311101200.htm

National

It was Congress' battle cry against British: Dasmunsi

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi deplored the "narrow partisan attitude" of the Bharatiya Janata Party on the issue of "Vande Mataram," pointing out that long before the BJP was born the Congress had used the national song as a rousing battle cry against the British.

Mr. Dasmunsi alleged that the BJP had brought "communal passion" to the issue. The issue was simple.

Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh wrote a letter to all Chief Ministers that on the centenary of "Vande Mataram" they should issue necessary instructions to all schools for its recitation at 11 a.m. on September 7.

"It was a request, an appeal for celebration of the national song. Nowhere had the letter implied that it was compulsory or mandatory. The Minister had later only clarified that it was not mandatory when he was asked a question related to it," Mr. Dasmunsi said

The manner in which the BJP disrupted Parliament on the issue on Tuesday suggested it had a partisan and communal agenda, he alleged.

Dasmunsi said that though a discussion on the nuclear deal with the United States was scheduled for Wednesday in the Lok Sabha, he would appeal to the Left parties to allow the Government to take up legislation instead. The deal had been thoroughly debated in the Rajya Sabha. The Prime Minister had responded in detail to all the points raised by members of different political parties.