Tagore's iconic song 'Amar Sonar Bangla' has put Congress in the middle of a huge controversy.
The Bangladeshi national anthem was sung at a party event in Assam's Sribhumi district. And the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government is preparing to charge the Congress leader with treason.
The event was held soon after Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus challenged India's territorial integrity. He presented Pakistan with a map that shows parts of India's Northeast inside a 'Greater Bangladesh.'
According to the Assam CM, singing 'Amar Sonar Bangla' in a region bordering Bangladesh endorses Dhaka's claims. He called it ‘anti-national activity’ that can’t be tolerated.
Addressing a press conference, Sarma said, "Two days ago, the district Congress committee of Sribhumi district performed the national anthem of Bangladesh in place of the national anthem of India. This is a blatant disrespect of the people of India. It is in line with the new claim by some Bangladesh citizens that the north-east will eventually be part of Bangladesh."
"I have instructed Assam Police to register a case against the district committee of Sribhumi district and take action as per law," CM added.
Pertinently, Tagore wrote the song in 1905 to protest the first British attempt to partition Bengal. In fact, the move was reversed in 1911. Though the partition eventually happened in 1947, Bangladesh adopted 'Amar Sonar Bangla' as its national anthem after the 1971 Liberation.
The song is still sung across Bengal, and in Bengali-dominated parts of the Northeast. Like Sribhumi district in Assam.
The song praises Bengal’s beauty and the connection between Bengalis and their motherland.
State Congress president Gaurav Gogoi hit out at the BJP for creating an unnecessary issue out of the song. He accused Sarma of insulting Bengali culture and sentiment, and the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore.
India and Bangladesh have enjoyed cordial relations historically. But, following the recent protests that ousted the long-time serving former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has soured the ties between the two nations. Bangladesh has also been in hand in glove with Pakistan
