Fri Nov 07 09:42:00 UTC 2025: Summary:
The 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram,” a hymn written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee that became a rallying cry for Indian freedom fighters, has ignited a political row between the BJP and the Congress. The BJP accuses the Congress of disrespecting the hymn by adopting a truncated version in 1937, allegedly to appease the Muslim community by removing stanzas referencing Hindu goddesses. The Congress defends its decision, while accusing the BJP and RSS of hypocrisy, claiming they have historically avoided singing the song. The debate revolves around patriotism, communalism, and the interpretation of India’s national identity.
News Article:
“Vande Mataram” Anniversary Sparks Political Storm in India
New Delhi – The 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram,” a hymn synonymous with India’s struggle for independence, has become a focal point of a heated political clash between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party.
The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is accusing the Congress of deliberately disrespecting the iconic song by adopting a truncated version in 1937. The shortened version omitted stanzas referencing Hindu goddesses, a decision the BJP claims was an act of appeasement towards the Muslim community and a precursor to the nation’s division.
The BJP has released historical correspondence from 1937 between Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose to substantiate its claim.
The Congress has vehemently refuted the accusations, countering that the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, have historically avoided singing “Vande Mataram.” Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge called it deeply ironic that those who today claim to be the guardians of nationalism have never sung “Vande Mataram.”
The 1937 decision by the Congress to use only the first two stanzas for national gatherings was reportedly motivated by concerns that direct references to Hindu goddesses were not well-received by some members of the Muslim community and were seen as ‘exclusionary’.
The controversy has sparked a nationwide debate on patriotism, secularism, and the interpretation of India’s national identity, with politicians from various parties weighing in on the issue. The dispute has particularly gained traction with high-voltage election in Bengal next year, where issues of patriotism and ‘appeasement (of Muslims)’ have been, and will continue to be, raised.
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