Lok Sabha to Hold Special Discussion Marking 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’

A special session of the Lok Sabha on Monday (December 8) will commemorate 150 years of India’s national song, Vande Mataram, with a 10-hour discussion dedicated to exploring its historic significance, evolution, and lesser-known aspects.

Composed in the 1870s by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee—also known as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay—the Sanskrit poem emerged as a powerful rallying cry during India’s struggle for independence. Recognised for its stirring call to courage and unity, the song continues to hold a revered place in the nation’s collective memory.
The Union Cabinet had earlier announced a year-long nationwide celebration to mark the song’s 150th anniversary.

As part of Monday’s discussion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are expected to address the House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also speak on Vande Mataram. Ahead of the session, the Prime Minister recalled that key stanzas of the poem were removed in 1937. “Crucial verses of Vande Mataram, a part of its soul, were severed. Vande Mataram was broken, torn into pieces,” he said, while reciting all six original stanzas.

The original composition includes six stanzas, but only the first two—considered devotional and non-denominational—have been officially adopted as India’s national song.

In response to the Prime Minister’s remarks, the Congress cited a letter from Rabindranath Tagore to Jawaharlal Nehru, in which Tagore himself recommended limiting the national song to the first two stanzas. The party demanded an apology from Modi for implying deliberate omission by Congress leaders.

Government’s Broader Plan

The Centre has positioned the 150-year milestone as an opportunity to revive and strengthen youth engagement with Vande Mataram. On November 7, Prime Minister Modi launched a year-long celebration honouring the historic composition. The debate is expected to be one of the key themes of the ongoing Winter Session.

However, political reactions remain mixed. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has extended its support to the discussion, while the Congress has questioned its timing, accusing the government of diverting attention from pressing matters such as electoral reforms and the SIR issue.

The controversy intensified after a parliamentary bulletin reiterated rules on maintaining decorum in the House—stating that slogans such as “Thanks,” “Jai Hind,” and “Vande Mataram” should not be raised during proceedings. The Opposition quickly latched onto the reference, prompting TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to seek clarity on the government’s position, while Congress leaders accused it of inconsistency.

As the debate begins, Vande Mataram once again occupies centre stage—this time in the political discourse of contemporary India