New Delhi | July 29, 2026
Just weeks after taking the oath in the Rajya Sabha draped in Andhra Pradesh’s GI-tagged Mangalagiri handloom, a tribute to nearly 5,000 weaving families, TDP MP Chintakayala Vijay returned to the national stage with a stirring address that blended history, emotion and a call for collective purpose.
Speaking during the Monsoon Session, the first-time parliamentarian placed Vande Mataram at the heart of his remarks, describing it not merely as a slogan but as the living pulse of India’s freedom struggle and a continuing reminder of the sacrifices that forged the nation.
“India is the symbol of our democracy. India is the voice of our nation. India is not just a country; it is a living legacy of sacrifice. It is not merely a piece of land, but a living, breathing civilisation,” he told the House.
Vijay traced the journey of Vande Mataram from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s immortal composition to its role as the rallying cry of generations of revolutionaries. He recalled Khudiram Bose, who walked to the gallows at 18 with the words on his lips; Veer Savarkar, whose spirit remained unbroken in the Cellular Jail; and Chandrashekhar Azad, who chose martyrdom over surrender. These, he said, were not isolated episodes but part of a continuous tradition of courage that still defines the Indian identity.
Turning to his home state, Vijay paid special homage to Alluri Sitarama Raju, the legendary tribal leader of the Rampa Rebellion. Recalling how the freedom fighter was executed by colonial forces after being tied to a tree, he noted that Alluri’s final devotion remained fixed on the motherland. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recently paying tribute to Alluri during his visit to Andhra Pradesh, calling it fitting recognition of a sacrifice that continues to inspire.
Invoking the words of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Vijay reminded the House that nations overcome adversity through shared resolve rather than division. “This nation does not rise in fragments; it rises when its people rise together,” he said, describing that spirit as the true meaning of Bharat — one that transcends political lines and strengthens democracy through common purpose.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for elevating the place of Vande Mataram in national discourse, and acknowledged the leadership of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh in reinforcing both cultural pride and national unity.
At 41, Chintakayala Vijay represents a newer generation of public leadership. Whether wearing the Mangalagiri shawl at his oath-taking to honour weaver families or invoking the freedom struggle on the floor of the Rajya Sabha, he has consistently sought to link national debates with Andhra Pradesh’s cultural identity and economic aspirations. His focus remains on amplifying the voices of farmers, artisans, youth, entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens while contributing substantively to the Upper House.
Concluding his address, Vijay said Vande Mataram continues to unite Indians across regions and political divides. “India does not move forward when one section advances. India moves forward when all its people walk together.”