Mukesh Khanna Wants ‘Vande Mataram’ as National Anthem

Actor Mukesh Khanna has sparked a fresh debate with his demand to replace India’s National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’, with ‘Vande Mataram’. Speaking to IANS, Khanna said he has been making this demand for several years and believes that ‘Vande Mataram’ more authentically represents India’s identity and spirit. He also claimed that ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was written by Rabindranath Tagore as a tribute to the British monarchy, a claim that has long been disputed by historians.

Khanna said he wants ‘Jana Gana Mana’ to be removed and ‘Vande Mataram’ to be given the status of the National Anthem. He welcomed the increased prominence of ‘Vande Mataram’ at schools and public events and revealed that he has recorded a seven-minute rendition of the song, which he hopes will become iconic. However, under India’s existing constitutional and official framework, ‘Jana Gana Mana’ remains the National Anthem, while ‘Vande Mataram’ is the National Song and holds a special place in the country’s freedom struggle and national identity.