PM Modi Blames Congress for “Betraying” National Song
During a parliamentary debate marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, Narendra Modi accused Indian National Congress (Congress) of betraying the song under pressure from Mohammed Ali Jinnah in the 1930s. He claimed that the party, instead of defending the song, agreed to omit some stanzas — a move he says weakened a symbol that once united India.
Historical context contested
Modi pointed to a 1937 session where Congress, he said, accepted demands by critics including Jinnah to exclude certain verses from Vande Mataram on grounds that parts of the song could offend religious sentiments. He argued this decision marked a compromise that paved the way for deeper divisions, and ultimately contributed to the Partition.
Opposition hits back
Congress leaders rejected the accusations, arguing that the song’s legacy has always been respected by the party. They said Modi’s remarks politicise a historical and cultural debate and ignore the diverse contexts under which different parts of the song were accepted or set aside. Critics of the PM’s handling of the issue said this renewed focus on the song may deepen existing divisions instead of promoting unity.
Broader impact and ongoing debate
The controversy over Vande Mataram — authored by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay — reignites long-standing debates about national identity, religious sensitivity and cultural memory in India. As the country observes the 150th anniversary of the song, many are watching how political narratives may reshape public reception of historical symbols.
