Archive · 9 Nov 2025
TMC and BJP Clash Over Tagore and Bankim Chandra Ahead of Bengal Polls
Two major political parties in West Bengal, the TMC and the BJP, are arguing about famous Bengali figures, Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
The BJP is celebrating 'Vande Mataram,' a song written by Chattopadhyay.
However, a BJP leader suggested it should be the national anthem instead of 'Jana Gana Mana,' which was written by Tagore.
The TMC says this is disrespectful to Tagore, who also wrote Bengal's state song and is known for promoting unity.
The TMC is honoring Tagore and singing the state song.
The BJP criticizes the TMC for not supporting 'Vande Mataram' celebrations enough and calls it appeasement.
The TMC accuses the BJP of trying to create division between these two important cultural icons and of playing divisive politics.
This argument is happening as elections are approaching.
The TMC and BJP are in conflict over Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay ahead of West Bengal elections.
The dispute began when a BJP leader suggested 'Vande Mataram' should have been the national anthem instead of Tagore's 'Jana Gana Mana'.
The TMC accuses the BJP of insulting Tagore and engaging in divisive politics, while the BJP criticizes the TMC for downplaying 'Vande Mataram' celebrations.
The TMC is honoring Tagore and promoting the state song 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol', while the BJP is celebrating 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'.
Both parties accuse each other of appeasement politics and using cultural icons for political gain.
- Who
- Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- What
- A political clash over the cultural significance of Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, specifically concerning the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' and the national song 'Vande Mataram'.
- When
- Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections (March-April next year). Specific events include a BJP event marking 150 years of Vande Mataram and subsequent counter-actions by the TMC.
- Where
- West Bengal, India.
- Why
- The conflict arises from differing interpretations and celebrations of national symbols and cultural icons, framed within the political rivalry leading up to state elections.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Position
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Position
Vande Mataram vs. Jana Gana Mana
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Position
The TMC accuses the BJP of insulting Rabindranath Tagore, who composed the national anthem Jana Gana Mana, by celebrating Vande Mataram (written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay) and suggesting it should have been the national anthem. The TMC emphasizes Tagore's contributions and states that he is deeply respected by national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose. They allege the BJP is trying to create a rift between Tagore and Chattopadhyay, favoring Chattopadhyay because Tagore promoted Hindu-Muslim unity.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Position
The BJP criticizes the TMC for downplaying Vande Mataram celebrations and accuses them of 'appeasement politics.' They assert that Vande Mataram is a political song and are protesting the TMC's stance. The BJP highlights the ongoing celebration of 150 years of Vande Mataram.
Celebration and State Song
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Position
The TMC government declared that state-run schools would sing the state song 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol,' written by Tagore. They organized rallies and paid floral tributes to Tagore at his ancestral home.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Position
The BJP announced a year-long celebration of Vande Mataram and celebrated the song nationally, with MPs, MLAs, and leaders in Bengal participating.
Accusations of Divisive Politics
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Position
The TMC claims the BJP practices divisive politics and is attempting to divide Bengali icons Tagore and Chattopadhyay. They state that Bengal is a place of peace and unity for all castes and religions.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Position
The BJP alleges that the TMC uses Bengali pride ('asmita') for political gain during crises and that the TMC's stance on Vande Mataram is a show of appeasement.
- Context
- Clash between TMC and BJP ahead of West Bengal Assembly elections.
- Cultural Icons Involved
- Rabindranath Tagore (Jana Gana Mana, Banglar Mati Banglar Jol) and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (Vande Mataram).
- BJP Celebration
- 150 years of Vande Mataram.
- TMC Counter-Celebration
- Paying tribute to Rabindranath Tagore and singing the state song 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol'.
- Controversy Trigger
- Karnataka BJP leader Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri's remarks suggesting Vande Mataram should have been the national anthem and that Jana Gana Mana was written for British officials.
- TMC Accusation on BJP
- Insulting Tagore, divisive politics, creating a rift between Tagore and Chattopadhyay.
- BJP Accusation on TMC
- Downplaying Vande Mataram celebrations, appeasement politics, using Bengali pride for political show.
Sources
‘Mamata invokes Bengali pride whenever she is faced with political crisis’: Sukanta on ‘state anthem’ row
Darjeeling school students exempted from singing state anthem during prayers: Administrator
Vande Mataram row: Congress cites CWC statement of 1937, says PM Modi 'insulted' Rabindranath Tagore
