Archive · 20 Aug 2026
AAP and Congress Clash Over Vande Mataram Rendition
The Congress party decided to sing only the first two parts of Vande Mataram at its events.
It said this follows a decision made by its working committee in 1937.
The Aam Aadmi Party disagreed and supported singing the entire original song.
AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar criticized Congress for focusing on this issue.
She said Congress should pay more attention to other important problems.
Kakkar also said Congress’s criticism could help the BJP politically.
She questioned why Congress continues raising the issue if it cannot defeat the BJP in elections.
The two opposition parties therefore have different views about how the song should be performed.
The Congress Working Committee decided that only Vande Mataram’s first two stanzas will be sung at party events.
Congress cited its 1937 resolution, while current Centre protocol provides for all six stanzas at designated official functions.
AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar supported singing the full original version of the national song.
Kakkar accused Congress of helping the BJP by focusing on the controversy instead of pressing national concerns.
She also questioned Congress’s electoral record and its earlier descriptions of parts of Vande Mataram.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party, Priyanka Kakkar, and the Bharatiya Janata Party are central to the dispute.
- What
- The parties clashed over whether Vande Mataram should be performed using only its first two stanzas or its full six-stanza version.
- When
- The dispute followed the Congress Working Committee’s reaffirmation of its 1937 position.
- Where
- The political dispute was reported from New Delhi.
- Why
- Congress cited its historical 1937 resolution, while AAP argued for the full version and criticized Congress for prioritizing the issue.
AAP and Full Rendition
Congress and First Two Stanzas
How much of the song should be sung
AAP and Full Rendition
The Aam Aadmi Party, through Priyanka Kakkar, supports singing the full original version of Vande Mataram.
Congress and First Two Stanzas
The Congress Working Committee supports singing only the first two stanzas at Congress programmes.
Political priority
AAP and Full Rendition
AAP says Congress should focus on more pressing national concerns rather than continue the controversy.
Congress and First Two Stanzas
Congress has defended its decision by referring to its 1937 resolution and historical position.
Effect on the BJP
AAP and Full Rendition
Kakkar argues that Congress’s focus on the dispute gives the BJP an opportunity to benefit politically.
Congress and First Two Stanzas
The article does not state Congress’s response to Kakkar’s accusation.
- Congress decision
- Only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram will be sung at Congress events.
- Historical basis
- Congress cited a 1937 Congress Working Committee resolution.
- Official protocol
- The article says current Centre protocol provides for all six stanzas at designated official functions.
- AAP position
- AAP national chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar backed the full and original version.
- Criticism of Congress
- Kakkar said Congress was raising the issue instead of focusing on more pressing concerns.
- Political accusation
- Kakkar claimed Congress was helping the BJP by continuing to focus on the controversy.