NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Congress Party of distorting India’s national song Vande Mataram by removing key stanzas during its 1937 Faizabad session — a move he said “sowed the seeds of partition” and weakened the spirit of national unity.

Speaking at a grand ceremony marking 150 years of Vande Mataram at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, PM Modi described the song as a “mantra of unity and courage” that continues to inspire generations. The event also saw the unveiling of a commemorative portal, coin, and postage stamp dedicated to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s timeless creation.

‘Vande Mataram was broken into pieces’

In his address, PM Modi said that Congress’s decision to remove stanzas referring to Goddess Durga during its 1937 session amounted to tampering with the soul of the song.

“Unfortunately, in 1937, important stanzas were removed from the original Vande Bharat song. Vande Bharat was broken into pieces. This also sowed the seeds of partition. Why was this injustice done? The same divisive ideology remains a challenge for the nation,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that Vande Mataram remains a guiding force for young Indians building a Viksit Bharat (developed India).

“When people try to mislead us or sow doubts in our path to development, Vande Mataram inspires us. Bharat Mata has 140 crore children, with 280 crore arms — nothing is impossible for us,” he remarked.

Congress, BJP trade barbs over legacy of national song

The remarks triggered a sharp reaction from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who accused the BJP and RSS of hypocrisy, saying that those claiming to protect nationalism “have never sung Vande Mataram or Jana Gana Mana in their offices or shakhas.”

“It is deeply ironic that the RSS and BJP, who today claim to be the guardians of nationalism, have never sung Vande Mataram in their shakhas. Instead, they sing Namaste Sada Vatsale, a song glorifying their organisation, not the nation,” Kharge said in a statement.

Kharge also recalled that Vande Mataram was first sung publicly at the 1896 Congress session in Calcutta, led by Rabindranath Tagore, calling it a “song of unity and defiance” against British colonial rule.

BJP targets Nehru-era decisions

Earlier in the day, BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan alleged that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru committed a “historic sin” by removing verses invoking Goddess Durga from Vande Mataram in 1937 to “appease communal sentiments.”

He cited Nehru’s letter to Subhash Chandra Bose, claiming it described the hymn as “unsuitable” for adoption as the national song. Kesavan linked Nehru’s stance to “Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments on Shakti,” terming it a continuation of what he called a “Hindu Virodhi mentality.”

Historical and cultural context

Revisiting the song’s origins, PM Modi praised Bankim Chandra Chatterjee for composing Vande Mataram in 1875 amid British colonial oppression, calling it “a call for a prosperous and self-reliant India.”

“When Bankim Babu composed Vande Mataram, India was far from its golden era. The British justified their rule by portraying India as weak and inferior. But the first line — Sujalam, Suphalam — destroyed that propaganda,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi also invoked Rabindranath Tagore, noting that he had described Anandamath as “a dream of an independent India.”

“The concept of the nation as a mother is deeply rooted in our civilisation. India is not merely a geopolitical entity — she is a living force, a mother who nurtures and protects,” he added.

Congress hits back with historical references

Responding to the Prime Minister’s remarks, Kharge said the Congress had always upheld Vande Mataram as a unifying symbol of India’s diversity.

“From 1896 onwards, Vande Mataram has been sung at every Congress session and event. It represents our collective strength against divisive politics,” he said.

He also accused the RSS of having “stood with the British” during India’s independence movement and of failing to respect the National Flag and Constitution in the years after Independence.

Nation celebrates 150 years of Vande Mataram

The government has announced a year-long celebration marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, with cultural events, exhibitions, and educational initiatives planned nationwide.

Composed in Sanskrit and Bengali, the song first appeared in Chatterjee’s novel Anandamath (1882) and became a rallying cry for freedom fighters during the Independence movement.

Calling the anniversary “a historic milestone,” PM Modi said,

“Today, we celebrate 150 years of a song that united a nation. Vande Mataram will continue to inspire generations to come.”