New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticised the Congress Working Committee’s decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party programmes, describing the move as “astonishing” and “anti-national”.
Shah said the decision reflected what he described as Congress’s policy of “vote-bank appeasement”. His remarks came a day after the party announced its decision concerning the rendition of the national song.
Shah questions Congress decision
In a video shared on X, Shah said the Congress had returned to its 1937 position by deciding to sing only two stanzas of the song.
He alleged that the decision was linked to what he called an attempt at Muslim appeasement and argued that the historical decision to divide the song had contributed to the circumstances that eventually led to the Partition of India.
Shah also claimed that the Congress decision violated legislation enacted by Parliament concerning the rendition of the full national song.
Vande Mataram remains politically sensitive
The Congress decision has triggered a fresh political debate over the rendition and historical significance of Vande Mataram.
The song, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has long held an important place in India’s freedom movement and national history. However, questions surrounding its rendition have also been politically and socially sensitive over the years.
The latest disagreement comes amid renewed political focus on the song and its place in public and party programmes.
Shah’s criticism adds to the growing political debate, with the Congress decision becoming another point of contention between the ruling BJP and the Opposition.