Mumbai: Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has reacted to veteran actor Sharmila Tagore’s recent comments on “Vande Mataram”, saying that the poem should not be viewed only through a religious lens.
Sharing a video of Sharmila’s recent interview on her Instagram Stories, Kangana said she respected the former’s right to have reservations about the National Song. However, she disagreed with the way Sharmila had interpreted the poem.
Poetry often uses metaphors and imagination to convey a larger message, she said, as reported by ANI.
“I appreciate that Sharmila ji has spoken about her reservation on Vande Mataram, but I am shocked as an artist how can her views on art/poetry can be so limiting and contrived, in any poetry or song words are metaphors, a poet or artist uses all kinds of imaginations draws unbelievable parallels to bring about the desirable effect, Vande Matram is the spirit of freedom struggle Bankim Chandra ji is compelling the nation to awaken the Shakti within, how can you reduce such a great piece of art to mere religious practice,” Kangana wrote.
The references to “Shakti” in poetry can be seen as symbols of strength and power, she said, urging people to move beyond a “Hindu-Muslim mindset” while discussing the song.
“Vivekananda famously said I need youth who are made of iron, bones of steel and veins in which runs thunderbolt, he was not giving weather forecast, he was simply demanding Shakti to rise, please come out of Hindu Muslim mindset even if we believe in one God doctors also call power Shakti, let’s embrace each other like our own, I absolutely love you and don’t mind a crushing hug like you always give me,” Kangana wrote.
Controversy began after the government made it mandatory to play/sing all six stanzas of the song at official events. The Congress and other opposition parties objected to this.
On Independence Day, video footage from the Congress headquarters showed party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi conversing while the national song was being rendered. The BJP then accused the Congress of disrespecting “Vande Mataram”.