Priyank Kharge challenges BJP leaders to recite Vande Mataram in full without phone or paper

Bengaluru/Kalaburagi, Sep 16 (PTI) Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday challenged BJP leaders R Ashoka and B Y Vijayendra to recite Vande Mataram in full at a public gathering without referring to a paper, mobile phone or teleprompter, saying he would resign if they did so.

He said that, if required, he would request the Legislative Assembly Speaker to allot time during the upcoming special session of the legislature, beginning September 21, for Ashoka, the Leader of Opposition, Vijayendra, the state BJP president, and other BJP legislators to recite the full version of the national song.

Priyank claimed that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not know the full version of Vande Mataram. He, however, acknowledged that he, too, did not know the last 2 stanzas as he had never learnt them.

His comments came amid a political row between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP over the Karnataka government's decision to limit the singing of Vande Mataram to its first 2 stanzas at most state government events. The order exempts programmes attended by the president, vice-president, prime minister or governor.

"Are Modi and the BJP bigger than Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore? I challenge Vijayendra and Ashoka to recite the full Vande Mataram at a public meeting without referring to any paper or teleprompter. If they recite the full version, I will resign. Will they do it?" the minister said.

Addressing a gathering, he said, "I don't know the last 2 stanzas because we have not learned them, as we have always followed the first 2 stanzas. I only know that much. Let them sing; let's see. I challenge them. Let all BJP legislators recite it in full during the upcoming special session of the legislature. If required, I will request the Speaker to allot time for them to sing without any paper. Let's see." Vijayendra, reacting to a question on Priyank's challenge, said, "His competence will be known very shortly. We will speak about it in the Assembly." Later, speaking to reporters, Priyank reiterated his challenge to Ashoka and Vijayendra.

"They are worried about how and where to sing Vande Mataram. Will they (BJP) decide differently than what was decided by Rabindranath Tagore, Pandit Nehru, Sardar (Vallabhbhai) Patel, Rajendra Prasad? What is their contribution to freedom? Unnecessarily, such issues are being brought up," he said.

"I'm still saying, I will set a stage for Ashoka anna (elder brother) or Vijayendra anna. Without looking at any teleprompter, paper or mobile phone, let them recite the last 2 stanzas. It is in Bangla, and not everyone can pronounce those words," he said.

Asked what he would do if the 2 leaders recited the song in full, Priyank said sarcastically, "If they recite, I will appreciate them. I will recommend them for Rajyotsava or Karnataka Ratna Awards. I will do whatever is within my limits. You make them sing first."

"I'm openly saying I don't know the last 2 stanzas, because we have not learned them. They (BJP leaders) seem to be big patriots; let them sing. I'm saying... Ashoka anna, Vijayendra anna, I will set a stage for you, only the last 2 stanzas, no looking at mobile, no paper, no teleprompter," he said.

Claiming that even Modi, Shah and several other senior BJP leaders did not know the full version of Vande Mataram, Priyank further said, "Now that I have challenged them, they will memorise it for two days. But it won't happen all of a sudden, you would know. If they memorise and recite it well, I have no issues. But they cannot be patriots because their Guru is (Vinayak Damodar) Savarkar..." PTI