Kamal Singh|Newsdesk7
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New Delhi, August 22, 2026: The political row over ‘Vande Mataram’ has intensified, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) passing a resolution defending the honour and historical legacy of the National Song and strongly criticising the Congress Working Committee’s decision to sing only its first two stanzas at party programmes. The BJP adopted the resolution on Saturday during a meeting of its newly appointed national office-bearers at the party headquarters in New Delhi. BJP president Nitin Nabin presided over the meeting and later shared details of the resolution. What Did the Congress Decide? The controversy follows a decision taken by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on August 19, 2026, reaffirming the party’s 1937 position that only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ would be sung at Congress programmes. Congress leaders have defended the decision by pointing to the party’s historical position. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has also argued that the version being followed is the one historically sung by leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. BJP Says There Can Be ‘No Compromise’ on Vande Mataram The BJP resolution strongly opposed the Congress decision, saying the party would not accept any compromise over the honour, dignity and national character of ‘Vande Mataram’. The BJP has described the National Song as an important symbol of India’s freedom struggle and national consciousness. The party also announced plans for a nationwide campaign aimed at taking the history, meaning and significance of ‘Vande Mataram’ to people across the country. The resolution comes amid an increasingly heated political exchange between the BJP and Congress over the place and rendition of the National Song at political and public events. Why Is the Vande Mataram Issue Controversial? ‘Vande Mataram’, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has a long association with India's freedom movement. The first two stanzas were adopted as the National Song, while the remaining portions have historically been the subject of debate because of religious references. The Congress had adopted its 1937 position after discussions surrounding the song's use and concerns raised over the later stanzas. The party has now reaffirmed that position for its own programmes. The BJP, however, argues that limiting the rendition amounts to undermining the song’s historical and national significance. Legal Status of Vande Mataram The controversy has also emerged against the backdrop of recent legislative changes concerning the National Song. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by Parliament in July, and President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on August 11. The legislation provides ‘Vande Mataram’ with statutory protection similar to that available to the National Anthem and introduces penalties for certain acts of deliberate disrespect or disruption. However, the current political dispute is specifically about the Congress party's decision regarding what it sings at its own programmes, rather than simply whether the complete song exists as the National Song. BJP Announces Nationwide Campaign As part of its resolution, the BJP said it would undertake a nationwide campaign to educate people about the history and legacy of ‘Vande Mataram’. The party said the campaign would focus on the song’s role in India's freedom struggle and its significance as a symbol of national consciousness. The development is likely to keep the issue at the centre of political debate, particularly as both parties seek to position themselves around questions of nationalism, history and national symbols. Political Row Likely to Intensify The latest BJP resolution adds another chapter to the ongoing BJP-Congress ‘Vande Mataram’ controversy. While the BJP has demanded respect for the song in its entirety, Congress has maintained that its two-stanza practice is rooted in a historical party resolution. The issue is now expected to feature prominently in political speeches, party campaigns and public debates in the coming days. Key Points at a Glance Issue Details BJP action Passed resolution on ‘Vande Mataram’ Date August 22, 2026 Congress decision First two stanzas at party programmes Congress resolution referenced 1937 CWC position BJP stand No compromise on honour and legacy of the National Song Next step BJP nationwide awareness campaign Main issue Historical legacy and rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’
Kamal Singh
Experienced journalist and writer
