The Congress has announced that, at its party programmes, it will sing only the first two verses of the national song Vande Mataram. The decision has triggered sharp political debate and criticism.
The BJP condemned the move, alleging that Congress is narrowing a national symbol for “short-term vote-bank interests.” The party said singing only two verses instead of the full song amounts to a major insult to the nation.
Amid the controversy, a meeting of newly appointed BJP office-bearers was held at the party headquarters in New Delhi under the leadership of national president Nithin Nabin. The meeting adopted multiple resolutions.
One resolution stated that the tradition and spirit of Vande Mataram cannot be reduced to contemporary electoral calculations. In a statement, the BJP described the song as an enduring symbol of national भावना and a mantra of the freedom struggle, and said it had also passed a resolution to ensure its legal status.
The BJP added that it rejects any attempt to sideline the national song for communal or narrow vote-bank considerations.
