Vande Mataram Turns 150: PM Modi to Lead Special Lok Sabha Discussion Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open a dedicated discussion in Lok Sabha on Monday to commemorate 150 years of Vande Mataram, setting the stage for an extensive reflection on the song's origins, evolution and its impact on India's freedom movement.

Focus on History and Significance

PM Modi is expected to outline how Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's iconic composition, first published in Bangadarshan on November 7, 1875, shaped patriotic sentiment during the struggle for independence. He is also likely to trace its continued relevance in public life and national discourse.

Political Tensions Around the Song

The debate arrives at a time when political disagreements around Vande Mataram have resurfaced. At an anniversary event last month, PM Modi alleged that the Congress had "removed important stanzas" from the original song during the party's 1937 session in Faizabad. He said the decision "sowed the seeds of Partition and dissected the national song into pieces."

The Congress countered that the move was taken on the advice of Rabindranath Tagore and was intended to respect the sentiments of communities with different beliefs.

Debate Schedule and Parliamentary Dynamics

According to the schedule, ruling NDA MPs have been allotted three hours out of the ten designated for the discussion in Lok Sabha. In the Upper House, the debate is expected to be initiated on Tuesday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

A fresh round of confrontation erupted before the Winter Session began when the Rajya Sabha Secretariat reminded MPs to avoid using expressions such as Vande Mataram and Jai Hind inside Parliament to uphold decorum. The Opposition accused the NDA of being uneasy with symbols associated with the freedom movement.

What to Expect in the Coming Days

The Winter Session will run until December 19, and the debate around Vande Mataram is likely to remain lively due to differing interpretations of the song's legacy across political lines. With views sharply divided, the discussion promises to be among the most watched moments of the session.