Heritage, Politics and Patriotism: Naihati’s Big Tourism Dream Around ‘Vande Mataram’

A fresh political and cultural conversation has emerged in West Bengal after newly elected BJP MLA Sumitro Chatterjee announced plans to transform Naihati the birthplace of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay into a major tourism destination celebrating the legacy of the iconic writer and the national song Vande Mataram .

Chatterjee, a descendant of the celebrated novelist, said he wants to restore and promote Bankim Chandra’s ancestral residence, develop nearby water bodies, build tourism infrastructure and position the town as a cultural hotspot connected to Bengali literature and nationalism.

The proposal has already sparked interest among cultural enthusiasts and tourism planners, with many calling it a meaningful attempt to preserve literary heritage. Supporters believe the initiative could bring national attention to Naihati while boosting local employment and infrastructure.

However, the move may also reopen long-standing political and ideological debates surrounding Vande Mataram , which has repeatedly triggered controversy across India over the years.

While the BJP has consistently projected the song as a symbol of patriotism and national pride, several opposition parties and minority organisations have previously objected to attempts at making its full rendition mandatory during official events.

Leaders from parties such as the Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) have earlier criticised such moves, calling them politically motivated and divisive. Similar controversies have surfaced in different states whenever the song became part of official ceremonies or political campaigns.

The debate largely centres around certain verses of the song from Anandamath , which invoke Hindu goddess imagery, something some religious groups say conflicts with their beliefs.

Despite the political sensitivity, Chatterjee maintained that both the Centre and the state government should work together to glorify Bankim Chandra’s contribution to India’s freedom movement and literary history.

His vision includes developing lakeside tourism projects, resorts and cultural spaces around Naihati, which he says lies just 40 minutes from Kolkata but has remained overlooked for decades.

Whether the proposal evolves into a celebrated heritage initiative or another flashpoint in India’s continuing Vande Mataram debate remains to be seen.