PM Modi Launches Vande Mataram 150-Year Celebration, Criticizes Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp political attack on the Congress party during the inauguration of year-long celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. Speaking at a New Delhi event on Friday, the Prime Minister directly blamed the opposition party for what he described as a historical mistake that had far-reaching consequences for the nation.
The 1937 Controversy Over National Song
Prime Minister Modi specifically referenced the year 1937 when the Indian National Congress decided to adopt only the first two stanzas of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's iconic composition. The original song was composed in 1875 and published as part of Chattopadhyay's novel Anandamath in 1882.
In his Hindi address, Modi stated: "The spirit of Vande Mataram illuminated the entire nation during the freedom struggle. But unfortunately, in 1937, important stanzas of Vande Mataram, a part of its soul, were severed. Vande Mataram was broken, it was torn into pieces. This division of Vande Mataram also sowed the seeds of division of the country."
The Prime Minister emphasized that the same divisive mindset remains a challenge for the country even today, connecting historical decisions with contemporary political challenges.
Historical Context and Modern Implications
Modi provided historical context about India's global position when Vande Mataram was created. He noted that India accounted for nearly one-fourth of global GDP just centuries earlier, but by the time Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed the song, foreign invasions and colonial policies had left the country struggling with poverty and hunger.
Despite these challenges, Modi highlighted how Chattopadhyay envisioned a prosperous India and gave the clarion call of Vande Mataram. The Prime Minister also drew parallels with contemporary achievements, mentioning India's emergence as the fifth-largest economy and progress in science and technology.
In what appeared to be a reference to recent military operations, Modi stated: "When the enemy dared to attack our security and honour using terrorism, the world saw that India knows how to take the form of Durga."
Political Reactions and Counter-Claims
The event triggered immediate political reactions from both sides. The BJP intensified its criticism of the Congress, with party spokesperson C R Kesavan accusing the opposition party of "brazenly pandering to its communal agenda under the presidentship of Jawaharlal Nehru" by adopting only a truncated version of Vande Mataram in 1937.
Kesavan further claimed that the Congress committed a "historic sin" by linking the song with religion and deliberately removed stanzas that hailed Goddess Durga.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge countered these allegations, asserting that the Indian National Congress has been the "proud flagbearer of Vande Mataram." He highlighted that the song was first sung publicly at the 1896 Congress session in Calcutta under the leadership of then Congress president Rahmatullah Sayani, with Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore performing the rendition.
Kharge also turned the criticism back on the BJP and RSS, stating: "It is deeply ironic that those who today claim to be the self-proclaimed guardians of nationalism, the RSS and the BJP, have never sung Vande Mataram or our national anthem Jana Gana Mana in their shakhas or offices."
Nationwide Celebrations Launch
The New Delhi event, organized by the Ministry of Culture, formally launched the year-long nationwide commemoration that will run from November 7, 2025 to November 7, 2026. The program was attended by several dignitaries including:
- Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
- Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena
- Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
A special commemorative coin and postage stamp dedicated to Vande Mataram were released during the ceremony. Simultaneous celebrations occurred across the country, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurating the year-long 'Vande Mataram@150' commemoration at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow.
RSS members also celebrated the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in Prayagraj, demonstrating the widespread observance of this significant cultural milestone across different organizations and political affiliations.
The controversy surrounding Vande Mataram's historical treatment and its contemporary political implications highlights how cultural symbols continue to play a crucial role in India's political discourse, connecting historical decisions with modern-day political positioning as the nation celebrates 150 years of its inspirational national song.
