Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday initiated a debate on Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha as part of the year-long celebrations to commemorate 150 years of the iconic song.

Highlighting the song’s historical significance, Modi said the mantra of Vande Mataram gave power and inspiration to the entire country during the freedom struggle.

“Vande Mataram is a slogan which gave energy, inspiration, and showed the path for sacrifice and penance to the freedom movement. It is a matter of pride that we are becoming witnesses to 150 years of Vande Mataram. It is a historic moment,” said the prime minister.

“Vande Mataram was not just a mantra for political freedom; it was a sacred war cry to rid Bharatmata of vestiges of colonialism,” he added.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "Vande Mataram

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