Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Shivraj Chouhan Condemns Congress Stance on Vande Mataram
Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized the Congress party over how it wants to sing ‘Vande Mataram’.
Congress decided to sing only the song’s first two stanzas at a recent meeting, according to Chouhan.
He said the entire song should always be sung.
He also said a law requires it to be recited in full.
Chouhan accused Congress of taking a similar position in 1937.
He made these comments during a government programme in Patna.
He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for building houses for families.
He also said Bihar farmers would receive support through a crop insurance scheme.
Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan condemned Congress for deciding to sing only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’.
Chouhan called the decision audacious and a crime the nation would never forgive.
He alleged Congress had taken a similar position in 1937 under pressure from the Muslim League.
Speaking in Patna, Chouhan said a law requires ‘Vande Mataram’ to be recited in full.
He also praised government housing and self-help-group initiatives and announced crop insurance support for Bihar farmers.
- Who
- Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized the Congress party; Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and other state ministers attended the programme.
- What
- Chouhan condemned Congress’s decision to sing only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ and defended reciting the song in full.
- When
- Chouhan made the remarks on Thursday, August 20, after a Congress Working Committee meeting on Wednesday.
- Where
- The remarks were made in Patna, Bihar, during a state-level Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) programme.
- Why
- Chouhan said Congress’s decision disregarded Indian traditions and values and conflicted with a law requiring the national song to be recited in full.
Congress Position
Shivraj Chouhan’s Position
How the song should be recited
Congress Position
Congress decided to sing only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ at its meeting, as described in the report.
Shivraj Chouhan’s Position
Chouhan said the national song must always be sung in full.
Constitutional and legal authority
Congress Position
The report does not provide a direct explanation from Congress for its decision.
Shivraj Chouhan’s Position
Chouhan claimed Congress was maintaining its position despite a law and was acting as though it were above Parliament and the Constitution.
Historical context
Congress Position
The report says Congress took a similar decision in 1937, but does not include Congress’s explanation.
Shivraj Chouhan’s Position
Chouhan alleged the 1937 decision was made under pressure from the Muslim League and showed disregard for Indian traditions and values.
- Speaker
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union minister for agriculture and farmers’ welfare
- Disputed song
- ‘Vande Mataram’
- Congress decision
- To sing only the first two stanzas at its meeting, according to Chouhan
- Location
- Patna, Bihar
- Housing claim
- Chouhan credited the government with fulfilling a promise to build 50 lakh pucca houses
- Self-help groups
- Chouhan said Bihar had 43.27 lakhpati didis
- Farmer support
- He said the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana would be implemented in Bihar