Actor-producer Mukesh Khanna, best known for his work on the television shows Shaktimaan and Mahabharat, has courted fresh controversy by demanding that “Vande Mataram,” India’s current national song, replace “Jana Gana Mana” as the national anthem. Stating that the ongoing “Vande Mataram” controversy is unnecessary, he doubled down on his earlier claim that “Jana Gana Mana” was written as a tribute to a British ruler, describing him as “the one who determines India’s destiny.”

‘Written during British era’: Mukesh Khanna on Jana Gana Mana

“Vande Mataram has been unnecessarily turned into a controversy. My comments about Jana Gana Mana have gone viral. But I reiterate that it cannot be my national anthem. It was written during the British era, when George Pancham (George V, the former king of the United Kingdom) was there, and India was under British rule. The words ‘Jana Gana Mana Adhinayak’ refer to the ruler and describe him as the one who determines India’s destiny,” Mukesh Khanna claimed during a conversation with news agency ANI.

Must Read | Salman, Mohanlal, Sethupathi gear up for historic multi-edition Bigg Boss launch on Sept 6

Story continues below this ad

He added, “If we consider the literal meaning of these verses, it raises questions about whom the song is addressing. I believe Vande Mataram, which expresses devotion to the motherland, should be given greater national significance. We lived under British rule for many years, and even after independence, we continue to value English education more. India has its own rich traditions of education.”

Mukesh Khanna slams CJP

The actor-producer also criticised the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the student protests that recently rocked the country. However, he did not address the NEET-UG question paper leak and the subsequent student suicides, which sparked nationwide protests led by youngsters. Mukesh said, “After the NEET issue, a ‘Cockroach Party’ has come up. When a cockroach enters your house, you throw it out… but here, instead of throwing them out, we have let them grow. Why?”

ICYMI | ‘We hate it’: IAF pilots told Operation Safed Sagar team to drop slow-mo walks, match Vijeta

He added, “They are politicising students’ problems. The paper was leaked; catch the one who leaked the paper if your intention is real. Also, the opposition parties are opposing the government without thinking about the national interest. Our opposition party opposes only for the sake of opposing.”

Story continues below this ad

During an earlier interview, Mukesh Khanna had claimed that “Jana Gana Mana” was written as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth. “I said this three years ago: ‘Vande Mataram’ should be made a national anthem. ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is not the national anthem of our country. It was a tribute to Queen Elizabeth. Rabindranath Tagore wrote the song in praise of her,” he told IANS.

However, he was heavily trolled and called out by many people who pointed out that Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926, while “Jana Gana Mana” is widely believed to have been first performed in 1911.