Do we have the right to chant 'Vande Mataram' if we litter our country: PM Modi sends strong message

Amid the intensifying debate over making singing of the National Song compulsory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in a strong message asked if people have the right to chant 'Vande Mataram' if they litter the country.

"When I arrived here, everyone was chanting Vande Mataram, it gave me goosebumps. But do we have the right to say Vande Mataram? I am asking the entire nation," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking at a students' convention on the 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's Chicago address

"My question may hurt many, but think again, do we have the right to say Vande Mataram? First, we chew paan and then spit on Mother India and then say Vande Mataram?, the Prime Minister questioned.

#WATCH: Do we have the right to chant 'Vande Mataram' if we litter our country? asks Prime Minister Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/dydAlxwPuU

— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2017

"If someone in the country has the first right to say Vande Mataram, it is those who are doing the work of cleanliness. We may not do the same, but we don't have the right to litter too," PM Modi said. 

"I want to specially mention all those people who are working tirelessly to keep India clean," Modi said.

The Prime Minister also said that student organisations, while campaigning for university elections should give more importance to cleanliness.

Stating that the world evaluates India based on where we stand today and not where we were 5,000 years ago, Modi said, "There is no life without creativity. Let our creativity also strengthen our nation and fulfil the aspirations of our people. India is changing, India's standing on the global stage is rising and this is due to Jan Shakti."