Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Congress and BJP Clash Over Vande Mataram Remarks
The Congress and BJP are arguing about India’s national song, Vande Mataram.
BJP President Nitin Nabin said Rahul Gandhi does not understand the song’s importance.
He connected this to Rahul Gandhi’s upbringing in what he called a foreign culture.
Congress leaders rejected the accusation and criticised Nabin.
They said Congress had played an important role in deciding how Vande Mataram should be performed at national gatherings.
They also accused the BJP of using history and the song for political arguments.
BJP leaders said Congress was disrespecting the song and the freedom fighters who sang it.
Both parties said the other side was misrepresenting India’s history and patriotism.
BJP President Nitin Nabin accused Rahul Gandhi of not understanding Vande Mataram and Indian culture.
Nabin attributed Rahul Gandhi’s alleged lack of understanding to his upbringing in a foreign culture.
Congress leaders condemned the remarks and accused the BJP of politicising the national song.
Congress leaders cited the 1936 and 1937 Congress Working Committee decisions on Vande Mataram.
BJP leaders defended Nabin and accused Congress of insulting the song and freedom fighters for political reasons.
- Who
- BJP President Nitin Nabin, Rahul Gandhi, and leaders of the Congress and BJP.
- What
- A political dispute over remarks about Rahul Gandhi’s understanding of Vande Mataram and Indian culture.
- When
- The BJP remarks were made on Wednesday; Congress and BJP reactions were reported on Thursday.
- Where
- The remarks were made in Haldwani, Uttarakhand; the dispute was reported from New Delhi.
- Why
- The dispute began after Nabin criticised Rahul Gandhi and Congress over the significance and rendition of Vande Mataram.
Congress’s Position
BJP’s Position
Rahul Gandhi and the national song
Congress’s Position
Congress rejected Nabin’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi and said the BJP was politicising Vande Mataram.
BJP’s Position
The BJP said Rahul Gandhi cannot understand the song’s significance because he was educated or raised in a foreign culture.
Historical role and patriotism
Congress’s Position
Congress cited its role in the 1936 and 1937 decisions on Vande Mataram and accused the Sangh of failing to respect the freedom struggle.
BJP’s Position
The BJP said Congress was insulting a song associated with freedom fighters and martyrs, and accused it of doing so for Muslim votes.
Political consequences
Congress’s Position
Congress said the BJP was using history and the national song for political purposes.
BJP’s Position
BJP leaders said Congress was insulting the national song and tarnishing India’s image, arguing that the party was declining because of its own actions.
- Main speaker
- Nitin Nabin, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party
- Target of remarks
- Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
- Song at issue
- Vande Mataram
- Congress historical claim
- The Congress Working Committee passed a resolution concerning Vande Mataram in 1936, and in 1937 recommended singing only its first two stanzas at national gatherings.
- Congress response
- Congress leaders accused the BJP of politicising the national song and disputed Nabin’s historical claims.
- BJP response
- BJP leaders backed Nabin and accused Congress of insulting Vande Mataram, freedom fighters, and martyrs for vote-bank politics.