Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Amit Shah Says Modi Government Restored Vande Mataram Recognition
Amit Shah said the song Vande Mataram was not given enough recognition by earlier governments.
He said the Narendra Modi government gave the song greater official importance.
Shah said the complete song was sung at the Red Fort during this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
He described this as a historic correction.
The song was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Shah said it inspired India’s freedom movement and expressed an idea of cultural nationalism.
The Congress says it will sing only the first two stanzas at its events.
Congress leaders reject the claim that this means they disrespect the national song.
Amit Shah said Vande Mataram received its rightful recognition under the Narendra Modi government.
Shah said the complete song was performed at the Red Fort during this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
He credited Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s song and novel Ananda Math with advancing cultural nationalism and the freedom movement.
The Ministry of Home Affairs made the full rendition part of official government programmes, which Shah called historic.
The Congress plans to sing only the first two stanzas at party programmes, citing its 1937 resolution, while rejecting allegations of disrespect.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Narendra Modi government, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Indian National Congress are central to the dispute.
- What
- A political dispute is continuing over the recognition and complete rendition of Vande Mataram.
- When
- Shah made the remarks on Friday, August 21; the reported full rendition took place during this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
- Where
- Shah spoke during a visit to Siliguri in north Bengal, referring to the performance at the Red Fort.
- Why
- Shah said earlier governments failed to give Vande Mataram due recognition, while the Congress cites its 1937 resolution for singing only the first two stanzas.
Shah and BJP Position
Congress Position
Recognition of the full song
Shah and BJP Position
Amit Shah says successive governments neglected Vande Mataram and that the Narendra Modi government restored its rightful legal and official recognition.
Congress Position
The Congress rejects allegations that its position disrespects or interrupts the national song.
Which version should be performed
Shah and BJP Position
Shah supports the complete rendition and says making it part of official government programmes was a historic decision.
Congress Position
The Congress Working Committee says party programmes should sing only the first two stanzas, citing its 1937 resolution.
Reason for the 1937 division
Shah and BJP Position
Shah alleges the song was divided into two parts in 1937 for appeasement and vote-bank politics.
Congress Position
The Congress has cited the 1937 resolution but, according to the report, rejects the broader allegations made against its intent.
- Speaker
- Amit Shah, Union Home Minister
- Song
- Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
- Recent action
- The full rendition was made part of official government programmes through legislation steered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Performance cited
- The complete song was performed at the Red Fort during this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
- Congress position
- The Congress Working Committee decided that party programmes would include only the first two stanzas, citing a 1937 resolution.
- Political setting
- The dispute has gained particular resonance in West Bengal.