NEW DELHI | August 20, 2026
Amit Shah Attacks Congress Over Vande Mataram Stand
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday sharply criticised the Congress over the party’s decision to continue singing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at its organisational events.
Shah described the Congress Working Committee’s decision as “anti-national” and accused the party of reviving what he called its historical policy of appeasement. The remarks have intensified an already growing political confrontation over the national song.
Congress Reaffirms 1937 Position
The controversy escalated after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) reaffirmed its traditional position on Vande Mataram.
The party has decided that its events will continue to feature only the first two stanzas, citing the resolution adopted by the Congress in 1937. The decision came amid a broader political debate over the Centre’s push for the complete rendition of the national song at official functions.
Congress has maintained that its position follows its historical practice rather than representing disrespect toward the national song.
Shah Links Decision to Partition
Amit Shah went beyond criticising the present-day decision and linked the Congress’s historical position on Vande Mataram to the events preceding the Partition of India.
He alleged that the decision taken by Congress in 1937 to limit the rendition of the song was part of an appeasement policy and argued that it contributed to the political circumstances that eventually led to Partition.
Shah also argued that the issue is not merely about how much of the song is sung but concerns the country’s historical and national identity.
BJP Accuses Congress of Appeasement Politics
The BJP has used the controversy to accuse Congress of pursuing what it describes as vote-bank and appeasement politics.
Shah argued that such politics should no longer have a place in India and criticised Congress for maintaining its historical position despite the Centre’s efforts to promote the full rendition of Vande Mataram.
The issue has consequently moved beyond a cultural debate and become another flashpoint in the political contest between the BJP and Congress.
Congress Hits Back at BJP
Congress leaders have rejected the BJP’s criticism and defended the party’s historical record.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has questioned the BJP’s role in India’s freedom struggle while responding to the criticism surrounding Vande Mataram. The Congress has maintained that its decision is based on its longstanding organisational resolution.
The exchange has further intensified the political rhetoric surrounding the national song.
Why the Issue Has Become Politically Significant
The controversy comes as India marks the 150th year of Vande Mataram, making the song particularly prominent in government and political programmes this year.
The Centre has been promoting the song through official programmes and collective singing initiatives, while Congress has chosen to retain its traditional two-stanza format at party events.
This difference has created a fresh political confrontation over nationalism, history and the interpretation of India’s freedom movement.
Political Battle Likely to Continue
With Amit Shah directly attacking the Congress leadership and Congress defending its historical position, the Vande Mataram controversy is likely to remain a major political talking point.
For now, the central disagreement is clear: the BJP is demanding greater emphasis on the complete national song, while Congress says it will continue its established practice of singing the first two stanzas at party functions.
The issue is expected to remain prominent in political discourse as both parties continue to debate the history and symbolism of Vande Mataram.
Source: Press Information/ANI reports, All India Radio News, Times of India, The New Indian Express, NDTV.
Original Report: Supreme News Network (SSN)
