Mukesh Khanna proposes ‘Vande Mataram’ as India’s national anthem

Actor Mukesh Khanna has expressed his desire for ‘Vande Mataram’ to become India’s national anthem. He argued that the current anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’, was composed during the British colonial era when India was under imperial rule.

Khanna questioned the interpretation of the term ‘Adhinayak’ within the current anthem, suggesting that if the term refers to symbols like the national flag or Bharat Mata, they cannot be considered the ‘dispensers of the country’s destiny’. He stated that ‘Vande Mataram’ carries a distinct sentiment of bowing before and worshipping the motherland.

Addressing the controversy surrounding his remarks, Khanna noted that the issue had been ‘unnecessarily blown out of proportion’ and that his statements had been made viral. He also commented on the lasting influence of the English language in India despite the end of British rule.