Thus, the debate over Vande Mataram was clinched once and for all—first in 1937 and again in 1950. Sadly, exclusivist Muslims remain unreconciled to it, which is unsurprising. What is surprising, however, is the unwillingness of today’s Congress leaders to defend the national song. Its supreme leader is characteristically silent. She probably thinks that pandering to Muslim fanaticism makes better electoral sense than defending a hoary national legacy.

The BJP is right in doing what the Congress ought to have done. But it must guard against the temptation of espousing the cause of Vande Mataram for electoral benefits. For what is sacred in our national movement must not be sullied by narrow political considerations. It should eschew shrillness and coercion in its campaign. For example, its ally Shiv Sena has put up hoardings in Mumbai that proclaim: ‘‘Hindustan mein rehna hai to Vande Mataram kehna hoga (If you want to live in India, you must sing Vande Mataram).’’ This kind of offensive and provocative language is as unhelpful to national integration as the decree of those Muslim leaders who tell their fellow-religionists not to sing Vande Mataram. A message rooted in love, reason and inclusive nationalism is enough to convince most of our Muslim brethren that they cannot—and should not—exclude themselves from according the national song the recognition and honour that it rightfully deserves. Equally, it’s the duty of Muslim intellectuals to widely affirm that there is no contradiction between devotion to Islam and respecting national sentiments.