BJP Condemns Congress Decision on Vande Mataram, Says No Compromise on National Song’s Honour
Party announces nationwide campaign to highlight the national song’s role in India’s freedom struggle and oppose limiting it to two stanzas.
NEW DELHI, Aug 22: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday strongly criticised the Congress Working Committee’s decision to restrict the singing of Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at party programmes, asserting that there would be no compromise on the national song’s honour, legacy and status.
At a meeting of its office-bearers in New Delhi, the BJP adopted a 10 point resolution opposing the Congress decision and announced plans for a nationwide campaign to highlight the historical significance of Vande Mataram.
The party said the campaign would focus particularly on younger generations, with the aim of preserving the history of all six stanzas and their connection with India’s freedom movement, patriotic mobilisation and national consciousness.
The BJP argued that the Congress Working Committee’s 1937 decision could not take precedence over the constitutional framework and subsequent legislation enacted by Parliament.
The resolution came days after the Congress Working Committee decided to follow its 1937 position on Vande Mataram and limit its use at party events to two stanzas.
BJP president Nitin Nabin said the party’s resolution was aimed at protecting the historical legacy of the national song. He described Vande Mataram as an enduring symbol of the freedom struggle and national consciousness.
The BJP resolution said the party would oppose what it described as attempts to subject the national song to communal considerations, political appeasement or vote-bank politics.
Nabin said the issue went beyond differences between political parties and concerned the historical legacy of the freedom movement and the sacrifices made by Indians during the struggle for independence.
The BJP also said it would disseminate Mahatma Gandhi’s views on Vande Mataram, including his description of the song as an expression of strong national sentiment during the anti-colonial movement.
The party further referred to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, passed by Parliament on July 30, which it said gives Vande Mataram the same legal status as the national anthem.
According to the amended legislation, deliberate disruption or prevention of the singing of Vande Mataram is punishable by imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
The BJP said the Congress had historically acknowledged the national significance of Vande Mataram but later adopted a restricted position amid political and communal considerations.
Nabin said the BJP would continue to promote awareness of the song’s role in India’s freedom movement and ensure that its historical significance remains familiar to future generations.
The party maintained that Vande Mataram would remain an important part of India’s national heritage and freedom movement as the country moves towards its development goals for 2047.
