NEW DELHI, Nov 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying that the removal of key stanzas from the national song “Vande Mataram” in 1937 sowed the seeds of India’s partition. He emphasised that such a “divisive mindset” continues to challenge the nation even today.
Speaking at the inauguration of the year long commemoration marking 150 years of Vande Mataram at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, PM Modi said the song embodies India’s spirit of freedom, unity, and sacrifice. On the occasion, he also released a commemorative coin and postal stamp to honour the iconic composition.
“Vande Mataram became the voice of India’s freedom struggle and reflected the emotions of every Indian. Unfortunately, in 1937, important stanzas its very soul were removed. That division planted the seeds of partition. Today’s generation must know why this injustice was done to this ‘maha mantra’ of nation-building. This divisive mindset still exists and continues to challenge us,” Modi said.
Drawing a parallel between the past and present, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s resilience, saying, “When the enemy attacked our honour using terrorism, the world saw that India can take the form of Goddess Durga.”
He added that as India celebrates 150 years of Vande Mataram, the nation draws new inspiration from the song’s message of strength and devotion. “Vande Mataram is not just a song it’s a word, a mantra, an energy, a dream, a resolve. It connects us to our glorious past and empowers our future. We must build a nation that leads through knowledge, science, and technology,” he said.
The nationwide celebration, which will run from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, aims to rekindle the patriotic spirit associated with the song that served as the anthem of India’s freedom movement.
Vande Mataram was penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterji on Akshaya Navami in 1875 and first published in his literary journal Bangadarshan as part of his classic novel Anandamath. The song continues to resonate as a symbol of India’s unity, courage, and devotion to the motherland.