Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Mayawati Urges Welfare Focus Amid Vande Mataram Debate
There is a disagreement in India about how much of the song Vande Mataram should be sung.
Mayawati, who leads the Bahujan Samaj Party, said arguing about this is not helpful.
She said political parties sometimes use such arguments to gain advantage or distract people.
She asked governments to pay more attention to problems affecting ordinary people.
She especially mentioned unemployed young people, students, and families affected by floods.
The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized the Indian National Congress over an Independence Day performance.
Congress said the whole song was sung and that a gesture by Sonia Gandhi was misunderstood.
Congress has also decided that its events will continue to feature only the first two stanzas.
BSP chief Mayawati called the dispute over how much of Vande Mataram to sing inappropriate.
She said parties often change laws or revive such controversies for political benefit or to divert attention from shortcomings.
Mayawati urged governments and political parties to focus on unemployment, students, and flood-related loss of life and property.
The BJP accused Congress of disrespecting the national song after an Independence Day performance at Congress headquarters.
Congress denied the allegation, saying the full song was sung, while its working committee retained a policy of singing only the first two stanzas at party events.
- Who
- Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Indian National Congress are central to the dispute.
- What
- Mayawati criticized the political debate over singing the full Vande Mataram, only its first two stanzas, or not singing it.
- When
- Mayawati made her remarks on Friday; the latest BJP-Congress controversy began on August 15.
- Where
- The debate is taking place in India, including at the Indian National Congress headquarters in New Delhi.
- Why
- Mayawati said political parties should focus instead on public welfare, including unemployment, students, and flood damage.
Congress position
BJP position
What happened during the performance
Congress position
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the entire song was sung and Sonia Gandhi was asking for a chair for Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, not trying to stop the rendition.
BJP position
The BJP alleged that Sonia Gandhi attempted to stop the full rendition and that Rahul Gandhi appeared uncomfortable during the performance.
Which stanzas should be sung
Congress position
The Congress Working Committee decided to retain its 1937 resolution to sing only the first two stanzas at party events.
BJP position
The BJP criticized Congress's position as an insult to the national song.
Political significance of the dispute
Congress position
Congress rejected the BJP's interpretation of the Independence Day event.
BJP position
The BJP launched a sharp attack on Congress, alleging that it had become a new Muslim League.
- Main speaker
- Mayawati, chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party
- Disputed issue
- Whether Vande Mataram should be sung in full, only its first two stanzas, or not sung
- Mayawati's criticism
- She said the ongoing political debate was not right and could divert attention from public concerns.
- Public issues cited
- Unemployment, students' concerns, and loss of life and property caused by severe floods
- BJP allegation
- The BJP accused Congress of insulting the national song during an Independence Day performance.
- Congress response
- Congress said the entire song was sung and that Sonia Gandhi's gesture sought a chair for Mallikarjun Kharge.
- Congress policy
- The Congress Working Committee decided to follow its 1937 resolution and sing only the first two stanzas at party events.