Archive · 23 Aug 2026
BJP Defends Full Vande Mataram, Condemns Congress Two-Stanza Policy
The BJP held a meeting in New Delhi about Vande Mataram, India’s National Song.
It passed a resolution supporting the complete version, which the articles describe as having six stanzas.
The BJP criticised Congress for deciding to sing only the first two stanzas at its own programmes.
Congress said it was following a decision made in 1937.
BJP president Nitin Nabin said the full song represents India’s freedom struggle and national pride.
The BJP said the song should not be limited because of political or communal pressure.
It plans to teach people across India about the song’s history and meaning.
A special campaign will focus on young people.
BJP leaders also recited all six stanzas before their meeting.
The BJP passed a resolution on August 22, 2026, defending the honour and legacy of the complete six-stanza Vande Mataram.
The party condemned the Congress Working Committee’s August 19 decision to sing only the first two stanzas at Congress programmes.
BJP president Nitin Nabin said the full song should not be subordinated to communal pressure, political appeasement or vote-bank considerations.
The BJP announced nationwide and youth-focused campaigns on Vande Mataram’s history, meaning and role in India’s freedom movement.
Congress said its policy follows a 1937 resolution associated with Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party, led on the issue by president Nitin Nabin, and the Congress Working Committee.
- What
- The BJP passed a resolution defending the complete Vande Mataram and opposing Congress’s decision to limit performances at its programmes to the first two stanzas.
- When
- The BJP passed its resolution on August 22, 2026; the Congress Working Committee announced its decision on August 19, 2026.
- Where
- At the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.
- Why
- The BJP said the complete song represents India’s freedom struggle, national heritage and national consciousness. Congress cited its 1937 resolution as the basis for its policy at party programmes.
BJP Position
Congress Position
How much of the song to sing
BJP Position
The BJP supports protecting and recognising the complete six-stanza Vande Mataram and opposes restricting performances to two stanzas.
Congress Position
The Congress Working Committee decided that Congress programmes should use only the first two stanzas, reaffirming its 1937 resolution.
Reason for the policy
BJP Position
The BJP said the full song should not be made subordinate to communal pressure, political appeasement or narrow vote-bank politics.
Congress Position
Congress said it would follow the decisions associated with Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel from 1937.
Constitutional and legal authority
BJP Position
The BJP argued that the 1937 political understanding cannot override the constitutional position established in 1950 or legislation enacted by Parliament in 2026.
Congress Position
Congress reaffirmed its 1937 resolution for party programmes; the articles do not provide a detailed response from the Congress Working Committee to the BJP’s constitutional argument.
- BJP resolution
- The BJP said it would protect the honour, dignity, historical legacy and national character of the complete Vande Mataram.
- Complete song
- The articles describe the full Vande Mataram as comprising six stanzas or verses.
- Congress position
- The Congress Working Committee reaffirmed a 1937 resolution limiting singing at Congress functions to the first two stanzas.
- Meeting leadership
- BJP president Nitin Nabin presided over the meeting and later shared the resolution on X.
- Planned campaign
- BJP workers will conduct a nationwide campaign on Vande Mataram’s history, meaning, national significance and legacy.
- Youth outreach
- The BJP said a special awareness campaign would target younger generations so the complete song and its history are not forgotten.
- Legal and constitutional claims
- The BJP cited the Constituent Assembly’s 1950 declaration and Parliament’s 2026 legislation, which it said gave Vande Mataram legal status comparable to Jana Gana Mana.
Sources
BJP passes resolution on ‘Vande Mataram’, condemns Congress over decision to sing only two stanzas
"No Compromise On Honour, Legacy Of Vande Mataram": BJP Passes Resolution
BJP resolution condemns Cong decision on Vande Mataram, says no compromise on national song’s honour
BJP passes resolution to honour Vande Mataram, slams Congress’s ‘2-stanza’ stance
BJP condemns Cong's Vande Mataram move, passes resolution
BJP passes resolution to protect Vande Mataram legacy, condemns CWC decision to limit it to two-stanzas
BJP slams Congress over Vande row
BJP condemns Cong's Vande Mataram move, passes resolution
'No Party or Individual Bigger Than Parliament': BJP Hits Out at Congress Amid Vande Mataram Row
