Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Bankim Descendant Warns Congress Over Vande Mataram Stance
The Congress party decided to sing only the first two parts of Vande Mataram at its events.
Congress says this follows a decision made in 1937.
BJP MLA Sumitro Chatterjee disagreed with the decision.
He is a direct descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who wrote Vande Mataram.
Chatterjee said Congress was trying to attract attention.
He said his family might take legal action after discussing the matter.
Congress MP KC Venugopal defended the party’s position.
He said Congress would follow the decisions made by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937.
BJP MLA Sumitro Chatterjee, a descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, criticised Congress’s decision.
The Congress Working Committee resolved to sing only Vande Mataram’s first two stanzas at party events.
Chatterjee called the decision political “drama” and said Congress had become irrelevant.
He said his family may pursue legal action after consulting relatives and the BJP.
Congress MP KC Venugopal defended the decision, citing a 1937 resolution involving Gandhi, Nehru and Patel.
- Who
- BJP MLA Sumitro Chatterjee, a descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, criticised the Indian National Congress; Congress MP KC Venugopal defended the party’s position.
- What
- A dispute has emerged over the Congress Working Committee’s decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events.
- When
- The remarks were made on Thursday, after the Congress Working Committee’s decision and a controversy linked to an August 15 rendition.
- Where
- North 24 Parganas, West Bengal; the decision concerns Congress party programmes.
- Why
- Congress cited its 1937 resolution, while Chatterjee objected and said his family may consider legal action.
Congress’s Position
Chatterjee’s and BJP Criticism
How much of the song should be sung
Congress’s Position
Congress says party events should feature only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, following its 1937 resolution.
Chatterjee’s and BJP Criticism
Sumitro Chatterjee objected to the restricted rendition and warned that his family may pursue legal action.
Reason for the decision
Congress’s Position
KC Venugopal said Congress is adhering to decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937.
Chatterjee’s and BJP Criticism
Chatterjee accused Congress of staging political “drama” to regain relevance and said the Congress Working Committee is not above Indian law.
Political context
Congress’s Position
Congress defended its established position after controversy surrounding an August 15 rendition of Vande Mataram.
Chatterjee’s and BJP Criticism
The BJP accused Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi of conversing during the rendition, while Chatterjee said Congress was seeking attention.
- Congress decision
- Only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram will be rendered at party programmes.
- Congress justification
- The party cited its 1937 resolution.
- Critic
- BJP MLA Sumitro Chatterjee, described as a direct descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
- Possible response
- Chatterjee said his family may take legal steps after consultations.
- Congress defence
- KC Venugopal said Congress would follow decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937.
- Related controversy
- The decision followed BJP accusations that Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi conversed during Vande Mataram’s rendition at Independence Day celebrations on August 15.