Archive · 23 Aug 2026
BJP Leader Samik Bhattacharya Slams Sharmila Tagore Over Vande Mataram
Sharmila Tagore shared an opinion about how much of Vande Mataram people should sing.
She said people who believe in one God might not feel comfortable singing the whole song.
She suggested using only the first two stanzas.
BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya disagreed with her.
He said her opinion was personal but strongly criticised it.
He referred to Taimur, a historical ruler, because a member of Tagore’s family was named after him.
Bhattacharya also made accusations about Taimur’s actions.
The disagreement took place in Kolkata, West Bengal.
BJP West Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya criticised actor Sharmila Tagore over her comments on Vande Mataram.
Tagore said India should sing only the national song’s first two stanzas.
She said people who believe in one God may be uncomfortable with the song’s references to many Gods.
Bhattacharya linked his criticism to Tagore’s family naming a descendant after Taimur.
He said Tagore should not speak about Vande Mataram, while acknowledging that her view was personal.
- Who
- Actor Sharmila Tagore and BJP West Bengal president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya.
- What
- Bhattacharya criticised Tagore’s remarks that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung.
- When
- The report is dated August 22, 2026, and quotes remarks posted on August 21, 2026.
- Where
- Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Why
- Tagore said references to many Gods could make people who believe in one God uncomfortable; Bhattacharya opposed her position.
Sharmila Tagore’s Position
Samik Bhattacharya’s Position
How much of the song should be sung
Sharmila Tagore’s Position
Tagore said the nation should stick to the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram.
Samik Bhattacharya’s Position
Bhattacharya criticised Tagore’s position and said she should not speak about Vande Mataram.
Religious references
Sharmila Tagore’s Position
Tagore said people who believe in one God may not be comfortable singing the entire song because it mentions many Gods.
Samik Bhattacharya’s Position
Bhattacharya did not accept Tagore’s objection and instead linked his criticism to her family’s naming of a descendant after Taimur.
- Subject
- Dispute over remarks about Vande Mataram
- BJP leader
- Samik Bhattacharya, BJP West Bengal president and Rajya Sabha MP
- Other speaker
- Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore
- Tagore’s position
- Only the first two stanzas should be sung
- Reason cited by Tagore
- The full song mentions many Gods, which may concern people who believe in one God
- Bhattacharya’s response
- He called Tagore’s view personal but said she should not speak about Vande Mataram
- Location and date
- Kolkata, West Bengal; report dated August 22, 2026