Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Majhi Says Vande Mataram Is Not a Political Bargaining Chip
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi criticized a Congress decision about Vande Mataram.
The Congress Working Committee decided that party events would sing only two stanzas.
Majhi said the song represents India’s freedom struggle.
He argued that it should not be changed for political reasons.
He also said Vande Mataram does not belong to Congress alone.
Congress said it was following a decision made in 1937.
The disagreement is about how much of the song should be sung at party events.
Majhi believes limiting it is disrespectful.
The Congress Working Committee supports following its earlier resolution.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi criticized the Congress Working Committee’s decision on Vande Mataram.
The CWC decided that only two stanzas of the national song would be sung at future party events.
Majhi called Vande Mataram the “soul of Bharat’s freedom struggle” and the voice of the nation.
He said the song should not be edited, diluted or used for political bargaining or vote-bank calculations.
The CWC said its decision followed a 1937 resolution by the Congress’s highest decision-making body.
- Who
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the Congress Working Committee.
- What
- Majhi criticized the CWC’s decision to limit Vande Mataram to two stanzas at Congress events.
- When
- Majhi made the remarks on Thursday; the CWC decision was announced on Wednesday.
- Where
- The remarks were made from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, through social media.
- Why
- Majhi said Vande Mataram is central to India’s freedom struggle and should not be limited for political convenience; the CWC cited a 1937 resolution.
Majhi’s Position
Congress Working Committee’s Position
How much of the song should be sung
Majhi’s Position
Majhi criticized limiting Vande Mataram to two stanzas, saying a song that inspired freedom fighters should not be reduced for political convenience.
Congress Working Committee’s Position
The CWC decided that only two stanzas would be sung at all party events, following its 1937 resolution.
Political ownership and purpose
Majhi’s Position
Majhi said Vande Mataram belongs to the history and spirit of Bharat, not to Congress for editing, diluting or bargaining.
Congress Working Committee’s Position
The CWC framed its decision as adherence to an earlier institutional resolution; the article does not state that it accepted Majhi’s characterization.
- Speaker
- Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha
- Issue
- The extent to which Vande Mataram should be sung at Congress events
- Congress decision
- Only two stanzas will be sung at party events
- Decision basis
- A 1937 resolution of the Congress’s highest decision-making body
- Majhi’s characterization
- Vande Mataram is the “soul of Bharat’s freedom struggle”
- Majhi’s criticism
- He said the song is not a political bargaining chip or Congress property