Joshi never sought change in national anthem, flag: RSS

New Delhi: RSS on Saturday said its leader Bhayyaji Joshi had not asked for any change in the national flag or anthem when he spoke about Vande Mataram denoting Indias cultural identity and the saffron flag symbolising its ancient culture, saying he was only talking about the difference between the state power and the nation. "Bhayyaji Joshi, Sarkaryavah of RSS was deliberating on the difference between Rajya (State power) and Rashtra (Nation)....Nowhere Shri Bhayyaji has asked for any change in national flag or anthem," RSS spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya said. Vaidya quoted Joshi as saying, "In 1947 Constituent Assembly had adopted the Tiranga as our State flag and was subsequently retained as that of the Republic of India. It is mandatory that every citizen of Bharat should respect this symbol." He said, Joshi had stated that "the saffron flag has been revered by the people of Bharat since time immemorial as a symbol of our ancient culture. We revere both the Tiranga, which is our State flag, and the saffron flag, which is the symbol of our ancient culture." "Similarly, while the Jana-Gana-Mana described the idea of Rajya, Vande Mataram denotes our cultural identity and our devotion to it. All of us should equally respect and adore both the National anthem and the National song." The remarks by Joshi yesterday at the Deendayal Upadhyay Research Institute in Mumbai came days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwats comment that Vande Mataram is the real national anthem. During his address, RSS general secretary Joshi said, "Jana Gana Mana is today our national anthem. It has to be respected. There is no reason why it should evoke any other sentiment. "But it is the national anthem as decided by the Constitution. If one considers the true meaning, then Vande Mataram is the national anthem," he said yesterday at the Deendayal Upadhyay Research Institute in Mumbai. "However, the sentiments expressed in Vande Mataram denote the nations character and style. This is the difference between the two songs. Both deserve respect," Joshi said.