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Friday, Sep 08, 2006

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National

Congress dismisses BJP criticism

Special Correspondent

Says yet another attempt to politicise Vande Mataram

NEW DELHI: Amid the raging controversy over recitation of Vande Mataram, the Congress on Thursday chose not to "wear our patriotism on our sleeve." But, this approach of the party added fuel to the controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party questioning the absence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi from functions organised by the party and the Government.

The Congress dismissed the BJP's criticism as "yet another attempt" at politicising the song. Sources in the Congress said by staying away from the hype, Dr.Singh and Ms. Gandhi had projected the party's "traditional liberal and secular position on matters of patriotism." Were they to put in a presence at the Seva Dal function, there would have been a scramble among Congress leaders and workers to out-do each other in flaunting their patriotism before the party's top leadership.

Furthermore, the dominant view within the Congress was that the party does not need to prove its patriotism after having played a pivotal role in securing freedom for the country.

At the same time, the Congress sent out a message to the hardliners among Muslims and Sikhs - who had instructed disciples not to sing the Vande Mataram - by getting some of its leaders from the two communities to put in a presence at the Seva Dal gathering.

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