Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Congress Sticks to Two-Stanza Vande Mataram as BJP Attacks
Congress and the BJP are arguing about how much of Vande Mataram should be sung.
Congress says its party events will use only the first two stanzas.
It says this follows a decision made by its leaders in 1937.
Congress also says several important freedom-movement leaders supported this approach.
Mallikarjun Kharge said he sang the same shorter version used by earlier leaders.
The BJP says Congress should sing the full song.
It called Congress a “new Muslim League” and questioned the party’s patriotism.
Congress says the BJP is using the issue to distract people from other concerns.
A 2026 law also makes attempts to stop the song from being sung or played an offence.
The Congress Working Committee resolved that party events will feature only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram.
Congress cited its October 28, 1937, resolution and leaders including Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Bose and Patel.
Mallikarjun Kharge defended the shorter version, saying it was also sung by earlier national leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The BJP called Congress a “new Muslim League” and questioned its patriotism, loyalty and respect for the National Song.
The dispute follows 2026 government measures requiring or encouraging the full song at some events and criminalising attempts to stop its singing or playing.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, its Congress Working Committee, Mallikarjun Kharge, K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and the Bharatiya Janata Party are involved.
- What
- The Congress Working Committee decided that Congress programmes will feature only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram.
- When
- The decision was reported on a Wednesday in August 2026; the articles differ on whether the date was August 19 or August 20.
- Where
- The CWC meeting took place at the Congress headquarters, Indira Bhavan, in New Delhi; related incidents occurred at Congress events in Delhi and Goa.
- Why
- Congress says its position follows the 1937 CWC resolution and established practice, while the BJP says refusing the full version disrespects the National Song and raises questions about Congress’s patriotism.
Congress position
BJP criticism
Which version should be sung
Congress position
Congress says party programmes should use only the first two stanzas, following its 1937 resolution and longstanding practice.
BJP criticism
The BJP says Congress should sing the full version and has accused the party of disrespecting the National Song.
Historical precedent
Congress position
Congress says the shorter version was supported or used by senior national leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Bose, Patel and Vajpayee.
BJP criticism
The BJP compares Congress’s position with what it describes as the Muslim League’s opposition to the full version in 1931.
Political meaning
Congress position
Congress says the BJP is politicising an emotional national issue to divert attention from paper leaks, alleged temple-donation theft and other national concerns.
BJP criticism
The BJP says the decision raises questions about Congress’s patriotism, loyalty and commitment to the Constitution, Parliament and the country.
- Congress position
- Only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram will be sung at Congress party events.
- Historical basis
- Congress cited a Congress Working Committee resolution dated October 28, 1937.
- Leaders cited
- Congress referred to Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, Subhas Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- Kharge’s defense
- Mallikarjun Kharge said he sang the version associated with Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- BJP response
- BJP leaders Sudhanshu Trivedi and Nitin Nabin called Congress a “new Muslim League” and questioned its patriotism and loyalty.
- Government measures
- The articles say the government directed that all six stanzas be sung first when Vande Mataram is played with Jana Gana Mana, and that a 2026 law criminalises attempts to stop or prevent the song’s singing or playing.
- Related controversy
- The dispute intensified after a video showed Sonia Gandhi gesturing and speaking to a party worker during the full version at a Congress Independence Day event; Congress denied that this showed an objection.
Sources
Congress Firm On 2-Stanza Vande Mataram, BJP Terms Party "Muslim League"
Vande Mataram row: Congress digs in, says it will stick to singing two stanzas
Congress defies Vande Mataram protocol, resolves to sing only 2 stanzas; BJP hits back with ‘new Muslim League’ taunt
‘Congress will sing only first two stanzas’: CWC sharpens stance on Vande Mataram
No Full Version, Two Stanzas Only: Congress Stands Firm On Vande Mataram, BJP Fires Salvo