bengaluru – A political controversy ignited in Karnataka on November 6, 2023, after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Anantkumar Hegde claimed teh Indian national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” was originally composed to honor a visiting British official. The assertion, made during a public address in Uttara Kannada district, has drawn swift condemnation from opposition parties and sparked a wider debate over the anthemS historical origins.
The dispute centers on Hegde’s statement that the anthem was writen by Rabindranath Tagore at the request of the British government to welcome king George V during his 1911 visit to India. This claim contradicts the widely accepted historical narrative that Tagore penned “Jana Gana Mana” in 1911 as part of a larger literary work, Gitanjali, and it was later adopted as the national anthem in 1950. The controversy arrives ahead of state elections and underscores the sensitivity surrounding national symbols and historical interpretations in Indian politics.
According to news agency PTI, Hegde stated, “It’s not that ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was written to praise India. It was written in praise of the British.” He further elaborated that Tagore had allegedly written the anthem on the request of British authorities.
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has demanded Hegde’s immediate apology and has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India, alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar called Hegde’s statement “highly provocative and an insult to the nation.”
Historians and cultural commentators have largely refuted Hegde’s claims. While acknowledging the anthem’s composition in 1911 coincided with King George V’s visit, they emphasize Tagore’s broader philosophical and patriotic intent. Professor Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, a noted historian specializing in Indian nationalism, explained that the anthem’s original context was a festivity of India’s diverse culture and its people, not a tribute to British rule.
The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of the anthem’s history and its significance in India’s national identity. The Election Commission has yet to respond to the KPCC’s complaint, and it remains to be seen whether hegde will issue an apology or further clarify his remarks.The controversy is expected to continue fueling political discourse in Karnataka in the coming days.