Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 22 : Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Monday said that chanting Vande Mataram is like chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jay' while affirming that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the country is moving forward and expressed confidence that in the coming times, everyone, be it "from the Hindu or Muslim community, will raise the slogan of Vande Mataram".
"Reciting 'Vande Mataram' is like saying 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'. Every patriot feels especially energised by raising this slogan. Under PM Modi's leadership, the country is moving forward. We are confident that in the coming times, everyone, be it Hindus or Muslims, will raise the slogan of Vande Mataram," Keshav Prasad Maurya told ANI.
Earlier today, UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak participated in a special discussion marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Participating in the debate, Pathak strongly criticised the Samajwadi Party, accusing it of practising appeasement politics and distancing itself from national values.
"They have nothing to do with Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram means Bharat Maata ki Jaye, but they only care about the interests of their family. Their politics is limited to appeasement," the Deputy CM said, adding that the opposition party only works to protect the interests of its own family, rather than the interests of the nation.
Calling the Samajwadi party a fraud, the Deputy CM said, "The party is formed solely based on caste. They deny Vande Mataram while we (BJP-led NDA) talk about Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."
Continuing his attack on the Samajwadi Party, Dy CM Pathak said, "We Muslims and Yadav go separate ways, not a single one of their MLAs will be able to win.
Earlier, CM Yogi Adityanath addressed the house, underscoring that the song was not merely a composition but a mantra for India's freedom fighters.
CM Yogi recalled how Vande Mataram inspired mass movements during the freedom struggle and later became a victim of what he termed Congress-led appeasement politics in the pre-independence era.