Panaji: A fresh political controversy over Vande Mataram has erupted after Congress members sang two stanzas of the national song at a party event in Goa attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The BJP criticised the Congress over the rendition, accusing the party of disrespecting the national song. The episode has revived a wider political debate over the history, rendition and legal protection of Vande Mataram.
Congress continues with two-stanza rendition
The Congress has historically used the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at its gatherings. Party leaders have previously argued that the decision was taken decades ago with the participation of leaders including Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
At the Goa meeting, the party again sang two stanzas, prompting renewed questions from the BJP.
Kharge also hit back at the criticism, questioning the BJP and RSS over their contribution to the freedom struggle.
New law adds to political debate
The controversy comes after Parliament’s passage of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends statutory protection under the 1971 law to Vande Mataram. The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on July 29.
The amended provisions cover intentional obstruction of the national song or causing disturbance during its rendition, with punishment that can include imprisonment, a fine or both.
The law does not simply state that every public rendition must contain all six stanzas. Separately, Union government guidelines issued earlier this year specify the full six-stanza official version for certain formal state occasions.
BJP-Congress clash continues
The Goa incident has therefore added another chapter to an increasingly political debate over Vande Mataram.
While the BJP has called for greater respect for the complete national song, the Congress has defended the historical practice of using its first two stanzas.
The latest disagreement is likely to keep the issue in the political spotlight as both parties continue to differ over the song’s history, rendition and place in public life.