Sambit Patra Accuses Congress of Distorting History Ahead of Vande Mataram Debate in Parliament
New Delhi, Dec 7: A day before Parliament begins its discussion on Vande Mataram, BJP Lok Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra levelled sharp allegations against the Congress leadership, accusing the party of deliberately reshaping India’s historical narrative to protect what he called the “manufactured legacy” of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, Patra said Congress had systematically sidelined several national leaders to maintain a Nehru-centric view of India’s political and cultural journey.
According to Patra, the Congress frequently accuses the BJP of erasing Nehru’s legacy, but historically, it was the Congress that marginalised key figures such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose and Dr B.R. Ambedkar. He argued that these leaders shaped India’s political and ideological foundation, yet were not given the recognition they deserved in post-independence narratives curated by Congress governments.
Patra referred to old NCERT textbooks to strengthen his argument. One instance he highlighted was a controversial cartoon portraying Nehru holding a whip while Ambedkar drafts the Constitution. Patra said the cartoon reflected how Ambedkar’s contributions were trivialised in educational material under Congress rule. He also cited letters exchanged between Nehru and Ambedkar, suggesting these revealed fundamental disagreements between the two leaders, particularly Ambedkar’s dissatisfaction with Nehru’s approach to governance and decision-making.
Responding to Sonia Gandhi’s recent claim that the BJP was attempting to diminish Nehru’s legacy, Patra said the accusation was “factually baseless.” He argued that the Nehru-Gandhi family itself had harmed Nehru’s reputation by being involved in legal controversies, particularly pointing to the ongoing National Herald case in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are currently out on bail. He said this case raised questions about Congress leadership while weakening the moral authority of those claiming to defend Nehru’s legacy.
Patra also questioned the Congress position that Nehru was the principal architect of modern India. He claimed that such a portrayal ignored the foundational role of B.R. Ambedkar in shaping the Indian Constitution. Patra said Ambedkar’s influence ensured that India’s democratic institutions were built on principles that continue to guide the nation today, therefore making Ambedkar—not Nehru—the true architect of modern India’s structural framework.
The BJP spokesperson also referenced historical accounts claiming that Nehru once expressed concerns that Vande Mataram could “irritate” the Muslim community. According to Patra, this stance contributed to long-standing debates regarding national symbols and identity. He accused Nehru of practising what he described as “distorted secularism,” claiming that the former Prime Minister often took positions that compromised cultural unity.
Patra further said that the upcoming debate in Parliament would give the nation an opportunity to understand Nehru’s views on Vande Mataram more clearly. He maintained that the discussion would help citizens evaluate whether Nehru’s concerns were rooted in genuine inclusivity or in political considerations that shaped Congress policies.
Highlighting internal differences between Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Patra referred to disagreements over the handling of religious sites. He suggested these disagreements demonstrated deeper ideological divides within the Congress leadership during the early years of independence. According to Patra, Patel’s stronger and more decisive approach to national integration was often overshadowed due to Congress’s tendency to prioritise Nehru’s legacy above all others.
Patra concluded by saying that the Modi government is committed to restoring recognition to leaders who were “ignored or pushed into the background” due to dynastic politics. He said the government would continue its efforts to highlight contributions of leaders like Bose, Patel and Ambedkar, ensuring they receive the national honour they deserve.
The politically charged remarks set the tone for a heated parliamentary debate on Vande Mataram, signalling a larger ideological confrontation over India’s historical memory and national identity.
Our Thoughts
Sambit Patra’s remarks highlight a long-standing political debate over India’s historical narrative and the leaders who shaped the nation. His critique touches on key questions: Who gets credit for building modern India, and why do certain figures receive more attention than others? These questions carry weight because national memory influences how present generations understand their identity and values. Patra’s allegations reflect a broader ideological contest in Indian politics, one in which differing interpretations of history have become central to contemporary political discourse.
The upcoming debate on Vande Mataram adds further significance to Patra’s statements. National symbols often evoke strong sentiment, and differing interpretations of these symbols can deepen political divides. Patra’s references to Ambedkar, Patel and Bose underscore the BJP’s effort to elevate leaders it believes were overshadowed in earlier narratives. Whether one agrees with his interpretations or not, the discussion signals that historical figures will continue to be re-examined as India evolves.
His comments on India-Pakistan dynamics, Vande Mataram and secularism also illustrate how historical topics intersect with modern political identity. As Parliament prepares for debate, the conversation around these issues will likely intensify, offering India an opportunity to reflect on its past and the leaders who shaped it.