BJP targets Congress over two-stanza recital and vows nationwide campaign
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday passed a resolution defending the honour and historical legacy of Vande Mataram, sharply criticising the Congress for its decision to sing only the first two stanzas of the national song at party programmes.
The resolution was adopted at a meeting of the BJP’s new office-bearers, chaired by party president Nitin Nabin. The party said it would not accept any compromise on the “honour” and “legacy” of Vande Mataram for what it described as political convenience or appeasement.
The BJP also announced a nationwide campaign to highlight the history, meaning and national significance of Vande Mataram, with a particular focus on reaching younger generations.
BJP condemns Congress decision
The BJP resolution specifically targeted the Congress Working Committee’s August 19 decision to reaffirm its 1937 position of limiting the recital of Vande Mataram at Congress programmes to its first two stanzas.
The BJP said it would oppose any attempt to subject the national song to what it termed “communal pressure, political appeasement or narrow vote-bank politics”.
Nabin said the party would work to protect the honour, dignity, historical legacy and national character associated with the complete version of Vande Mataram.
Congress sticks to its 1937 position
The Congress has defended its decision by referring to the resolution adopted by its Working Committee in 1937. The party has maintained that only the first two stanzas should be sung at its programmes.
The issue has triggered a fresh political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with the two parties taking sharply different positions over how Vande Mataram should be treated at political and public events.
The debate also draws on the song’s complicated history. The first two stanzas were adopted for use as the national song in 1937 amid concerns over the religious references contained in later portions.
BJP plans nationwide campaign
As part of its resolution, the BJP said it would take the history and significance of Vande Mataram to people across the country.
The party also resolved to highlight Mahatma Gandhi’s description of Vande Mataram as an “anti-imperialist cry” associated with the national movement.
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