Some argue that the origin of the song lies in Chatterjee’s historic work, Ananda Math (1882), which was virulently anti-Muslim. The origin of the Vande Mataram is a historical fact and nobody can dispute that. But the context and meaning of a cultural work is not fixed; it is always in a state of flux. We attribute meaning to a thing and, in due course, change its meaning too. That is why a song that may have its origin in a work which purveyed hatred against the Muslim rulers turned out in course of time to become the rallying cry of those who died for India’s freedom.

It is of course natural that the Vande Mataram controversy may make some Muslims feel beleaguered. Why should the singing of the Vande Mataram become a touchstone of their patriotism, they ask. There may be merit in their argument. But they should also stand up against the distorted views of people like Bukhari, who claim to speak for them. They would also remember what the Congress Working Committee said about this song when it met Calcutta in 1937: “The song was never sung as challenge to any group or community in India and was never considered as such or as offending the sentiments of any community.”