NEW DELHI:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lamented that the Constitution was “throttled” and the nation chained by the Emergency when national song Vande Mataram completed 100 years.

Initiating a day-long discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, Modi noted that Vande Mataram stood like a rock and inspired unity despite British oppression.

“When Vande Mataram completed 100 years, the nation was chained by the Emergency. At that time, the Constitution was throttled and those who lived and died for patriotism were pushed behind bars,” he said.