Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Kharge Defends Congress Vande Mataram Version, Rebukes BJP
Mallikarjun Kharge said the Congress is singing the shorter version of Vande Mataram that national leaders agreed on many years ago.
He said the song was reduced from six stanzas to two in 1937.
Kharge named Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as leaders involved in that decision.
Amit Shah criticized the Congress for singing only two stanzas.
Shah called the decision anti-national and linked it to vote-bank politics.
Kharge rejected that criticism and said the issue was being used to create divisions.
He compared Vande Mataram with Jana Gana Mana, of which only one stanza is commonly sung.
Kharge also said the Centre was wrong to deny political clearance for A Revanth Reddy’s planned trip to the United States to seek investment.
Mallikarjun Kharge said the Congress follows the two-stanza Vande Mataram version approved by national leaders in 1937.
He said Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel supported shortening the song from six stanzas.
Kharge was responding to Amit Shah’s criticism that singing only two stanzas was anti-national and intended to appease a vote bank.
Kharge accused the Narendra Modi-led government and the Bharatiya Janata Party of using the issue for polarisation.
He also condemned the reported denial of political clearance for Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s planned United States visit to attract investment.
- Who
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Amit Shah, the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
- What
- Kharge defended the Congress’s use of the two-stanza version of Vande Mataram and criticized the government over a planned foreign investment visit by Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
- When
- Kharge made the remarks on Saturday, August 22; Shah’s criticism was made on Thursday. The year is not specified.
- Where
- Kalaburagi, Karnataka.
- Why
- Kharge said the shorter version was approved by national leaders and accused the government and BJP of raising the issue for polarisation.
Congress and Kharge’s Position
Amit Shah’s Criticism
Use of the shorter song
Congress and Kharge’s Position
Kharge said the two-stanza version was decided by national leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and has been followed for about 90 years.
Amit Shah’s Criticism
Amit Shah said the Congress’s decision to sing only two stanzas was anti-national and violated the intended practice.
Political meaning of the dispute
Congress and Kharge’s Position
Kharge accused the Narendra Modi-led government and the Bharatiya Janata Party of using the issue for polarisation and vote-bank politics.
Amit Shah’s Criticism
Shah characterized the shorter version as an act aimed at appeasement of a vote bank.
Political clearance for foreign travel
Congress and Kharge’s Position
Kharge said denying clearance for A Revanth Reddy’s planned United States visit was unjust because the trip could attract investment and create jobs.
Amit Shah’s Criticism
The article does not provide the central government’s response to Kharge’s allegation.
- Speaker
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress chief.
- Song at issue
- Vande Mataram.
- Congress position
- The party says it follows the two-stanza version agreed upon by national leaders.
- Historical decision cited
- Kharge said the song was reduced from six stanzas to two in 1937.
- Criticism from Amit Shah
- Shah called singing only two stanzas anti-national and linked it to vote-bank appeasement.
- Other issue raised
- Kharge condemned the reported denial of political clearance for A Revanth Reddy’s planned United States visit.
- Purpose of visit
- Kharge said the Telangana chief minister intended to seek investment and promote industrial and job opportunities.