Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's Legacy Neglected: Great Grandson Speaks Out on 150th Anniversary of Vande Mataram

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee derived inspiration for his first novel from the ruins of Gar Mandaran Fort

The forthcoming winter session of parliament is expected to feature a political maneuver as the Centre plans to initiate a discussion on Vande Mataram, the national song authored by Bengal icon Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, coinciding with its 150th anniversary celebration.

This move could be interpreted as BJP's strategic emphasis on nationalism and celebration of Bengal's cultural heritage ahead of next year's assembly election. It presents a challenging topic to evade, potentially overshadowing major issues like the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in opposition-ruled poll-bound states.

"India has neglected Bankim Chatterjee and his legacy for a long time. He is merely utilized for political purposes without receiving his rightful recognition in history," Sajal Chattopadhyay, Bankim Chandra's great grandson, explained to NDTV.

He emphasized that Chatterjee's significant contributions to the nation have been disregarded for too long, recalling an incident from 2018.

"During Amit Shah's visit to Kolkata, he invited our family to GD Birla Sabhagar, solicited our input, and acknowledged Bankim's contributions to India's independence movement," Sajal Chattopadhyay recounted.

However, this appreciation appears absent in the Trinamool Congress-led state government, which frequently portrays BJP as anti-Bengali and lacking understanding of Bengal's culture and iconic figures.

Among Bengal's luminaries, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's contribution to India's freedom struggle remains unforgettable. Born in 1838, Chatterjee, an English-educated 'bhadrolok,' published 'Ananda Math,' from which Vande Mataram was later brought to prominence by Sri Aurobindo.

"Bankim's ancestral residence in Naihati is designated as heritage property. The state government oversees the museum and its maintenance. Our family has donated all his personal belongings, yet we are never invited to events commemorating this Bengal icon. Despite Vande Mataram's frequent use, its creator remains forgotten. I cannot understand the state government's perspective on this matter. While the Centre appropriately honors Bankim, such recognition is lacking under the state government," the great grandson told NDTV.

Trinamool Congress leader Jay Prakash Majumdar contended that this sudden attempt to claim Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is an effort to obscure BJP's historical connection to India's independence movement.

"Since BJP lacks any association with Bengali culture or the Bengal renaissance, they are now attempting to appropriate Bengal's icons before the elections. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee corresponded with the empire's viceroy offering support and placed Netaji under house arrest. This constitutes the BJP and Hindu Mahasabha's dark history. This represents an attempt to whitewash that past," he informed NDTV.

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's descendants now urge the central government to establish a national university named after the Bengali luminary and introduce Bankim Bhavans across various states to commemorate his legacy.

"Numerous states feature Rabindra Bhavans but none dedicated to Bankim. No university bears his name either. While I respect Bengali icons, I believe Bankim Chandra deserves proper recognition. Every parliamentary session concludes with Vande Mataram's melody. It's time for the national song to be sung. Pandit Nehru discontinued this practice during his administration to appease a certain community, but that decision requires correction," Sajal added.

The central narrative of the novel 'Ananda Math' centers around a group of Hindu monks devoted to their motherland. "Vande Mataram" represents the song performed by the Santanas of Ananda Math. It symbolized the "religion of patriotism" that formed the core theme of Ananda Math.