“Jo Jai Hind se Takraega…” Mamata Slams Rajya Sabha Restrictions On ‘Jai Hind’ & ‘Vande Mataram’, Calls It ‘Outrageous’

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the Rajya Sabha Secretariat after a bulletin reportedly advised members to avoid using expressions like “Jai Hind” and “Vande Mataram” inside the Upper House, terming such utterances as “unparliamentary”. The Trinamool Congress chief said the directive was an affront to the country’s democratic ethos and amounted to insulting India’s freedom legacy.

Speaking to the press in Kolkata, after observing Constitution Day Banerjee said she was stunned that such instructions could even be contemplated in a nation built on slogans that inspired generations during the freedom struggle. “This is absolutely outrageous,” she said, calling the bulletin “an attempt to police patriotism”.

She warned that no authority could dictate how citizens should express their love for the country. In her trademark fiery tone, Banerjee declared, “Jo ‘Jai Hind’ se takrayega woh chud-chud ho jayega.” The remark immediately triggered sharp political reactions, with TMC leaders defending it as a “warning against authoritarian overreach” and BJP leaders accusing her of “lowering political discourse”. Banerjee said slogans like “Jai Hind” and “Vande Mataram” are woven into India’s national identity.

“Kyun nahi bolenge? Jai Hind aur Vande Mataram hamara national song hai. Yeh hamara azaadi ka slogan hai. Jai Hind hamara Netaji ka naara hai... Isse jo takdaega…woh.. choor choor ho jaega… (Why can't we say? Jai Hind and Vande Mataram are our national songs. This is our freedom struggle's slogan. Jai Hind was coined by Netaji...whoever clashes with this will shatter into pieces)….“These words carry the spirit of our freedom fighters. You cannot erase that with a bulletin. You cannot tell elected representatives that they cannot speak the language of national pride”, she said.

She reminded that ‘Vande Mataram’ as a national song was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and ‘Jai Hind’ as a war cry was coined by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose - both Bengali legends. She slammed the BJP government at the Centre for attacking democracy and religion, raising questions on citizenship and voting rights, and for “rushing” the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the country. “Today, when democracy and religion are being attacked, and questions are being raised on citizenship and voting rights, we must ask ourselves: do we have to give proof of our citizenship? I take a pledge here today to protect India’s democracy and our constitution” Banerjee said, after offering tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar on the occasion of Constitution Day.​