BJP President Nitin Nabin's Sharp Attack
Amidst this political attack, BJP President Nitin Nabin has compared the Congress to 'today's Muslim League', deepening the controversy further.
The Congress Working Committee has clarified in its latest stance that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram will be sung at party events. The party clarified that this is not a new decision, but its roots lie in the 1937 Congress Working Committee meeting.
What is the Historical Background of the Dispute?
According to documents available in the Nehru Archives, objections raised by a section of the Muslim community regarding Vande Mataram were discussed in detail at the Working Committee meeting held in Calcutta in October-November 1937.
Following this discussion, the committee recommended the use of the first two stanzas of the song in national assemblies. This same historical decision has now once again taken center stage in the politics of 2026.
The 'Today's Muslim League' Statement
Accusing Congress of vote-bank politics, BJP President Nitin Nabin said that this attitude of the party is an insult to the freedom fighters who fought for independence inspired by Vande Mataram.
The BJP argues that before independence, Congress made compromises on several issues under pressure from the Muslim League, and Vande Mataram was one of them.
Proposal for Legal Protection in Parliament
This matter is not limited to Congress's internal programs. In July 2026, steps have also been taken in Parliament to bring Vande Mataram under the ambit of legal protection related to national honor.
According to reports, the proposed 'Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026' provides for giving legal protection to Vande Mataram, similar to the national flag and national anthem.
This proposed system also includes provisions for punishment for deliberately insulting the national song or causing a disturbance in its singing. This is why the BJP views Congress's 1937 resolution not just as an internal tradition but as a significant political message.
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