Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticised the Congress Working Committee’s decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events instead of the full rendition. Shah questioned the decision and said the national song holds an important place in India’s freedom struggle.
Speaking on the issue, Shah accused the Congress of following what he described as vote-bank politics. He said limiting the rendition of Vande Mataram to two stanzas was a matter of concern and argued that the song’s historical importance should be respected.
The controversy follows a resolution adopted by the Congress Working Committee, under which the party decided to continue singing the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at its programmes. The Congress has maintained that the practice has historical roots and dates back to the party’s position adopted in 1937.
Shah alleged that the Congress decision reflected a policy of appeasement and said the BJP would raise the issue before the public and in legislative forums. He argued that the complete rendition of the national song should be given due respect.
The Congress has rejected the criticism and defended its decision. Congress leaders have argued that the first two stanzas have traditionally been used for public rendition and that the party’s position is based on its historical understanding of the song.
The issue has led to a fresh political exchange between the BJP and the Congress, with both sides putting forward different interpretations of the history and significance of Vande Mataram.
The debate has also brought renewed attention to the role of Vande Mataram in India’s freedom movement and its place as the national song. The BJP has called for greater emphasis on the complete rendition, while the Congress continues to defend its decision to use the first two stanzas at party programmes.
The controversy is expected to remain a point of political discussion, with the two parties continuing to differ over the historical and political significance of the song.
