Thu Dec 11 05:13:53 UTC 2025: ## Parliament Heatedly Debates Electoral Reforms, Vande Mataram Sparks Controversy
New Delhi – December 11, 2025 – India’s Parliament was a scene of lively debate today as both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha tackled crucial issues, most notably electoral reforms. However, the discussions were frequently punctuated by heated exchanges and points of contention, particularly surrounding the national song Vande Mataram.
In the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ignited the debate by linking the division of Vande Mataram and the Congress party’s alleged “politics of appeasement” to the Partition of India. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge countered by stating the decision to use the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram wasn’t solely Nehru’s.
The debate on electoral reforms saw Opposition members questioning the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) neutrality and the integrity of the electoral process, especially concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in 12 states and Union Territories. The Treasury benches retorted that the Opposition’s criticism stemmed from their recent electoral defeats.
DMK MP N.R. Elango raised concerns about the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) design and transparency, highlighting the lack of direct voter interface with the control unit and the unknown contents of Symbol Loading Units. TMC MP Dola Sen’s speech, delivered in Bengali, sparked protests after she questioned the influx of Bangladeshi immigrants, a matter the Chair deemed irrelevant and ordered expunged from the record.
In the Lok Sabha, the focus remained on electoral reforms. Congress MP Ajay Maken argued that democracy was not alive in India and mentioned the disparity between the bank accounts of the Congress party and other political parties. He also noted the lack of consistency in turnout numbers announced by the ECI. BJP MP Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi defended India’s democracy, highlighting the introduction of EVMs during Rajiv Gandhi’s era and crediting independent institutions for the decline of the Congress party’s dominance.
The day was also marked by various members raising matters of public importance, including issues related to tribal communities, railway infrastructure, pollution, and alleged exploitation by private hospitals. The Minister of Jal Shakti stated that the allocated funds of ₹13 crore for Jal Jeevan mission projects in Karnataka haven’t been released due to the lack of verification certificates.
The Parliament session is set to continue tomorrow, with the electoral reforms debate expected to remain a central focus. The controversy surrounding Vande Mataram, meanwhile, highlights deep-seated ideological divisions within the Indian political landscape.
[The Hindu e-Paper, December 11, 2025, 4:28 PM IST]
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