Shahabuddin's Letter to PM Vajpayee, 11 Dec., 99

As you are aware, the National Song "Vande Mataram" consists of only the first two stanzas of the song included in Bamkimchandra Chattopadhyay's novel Ananda Math, and that too, as a composition in itself and not in the context of the novel which is rabidly communal in theme and content

It is, therefore, beyond my understanding how Shri Ananth Kumar, Minister for Culture, has decided to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the publication of the Ananda Math by organising speeches, youth rallies and essay competition throughout the country for a month and a march on the midnight of 31 December, 1999 - 1 January, 2000. The campaign is misconceived and calculated to redefine patriotism in Hindu terms and separate the Muslim youth from the process of national integration.

I request you to reconsider the programme.