The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stepped up its attack on the Congress over its decision to restrict the singing of Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at party events, with the ruling party announcing a nationwide campaign to highlight the national song’s history and significance.
The issue came up during a meeting of the BJP’s newly appointed national office-bearers on Saturday, August 22, where the party adopted a resolution opposing the Congress Working Committee’s decision.
The Congress Working Committee had on August 19 reaffirmed its 1937 position that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung at Congress programmes. The decision has since triggered a political confrontation, with the BJP arguing that the national song’s historical importance should not be reduced because of political considerations.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin, who chaired Saturday’s meeting, said the party would strongly oppose any move that it believes could dilute the status or legacy of Vande Mataram.
The BJP also said that a political party’s internal resolution cannot override constitutional institutions or laws enacted by Parliament.
The controversy has gained further significance following Parliament’s passage of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, on July 30. According to the information provided by the BJP, the amended law gives Vande Mataram the same legal status as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
The BJP has now decided to take the issue beyond political statements by launching awareness programmes across the country. The campaign will focus on explaining the origins of Vande Mataram, its role in the freedom movement and its historical importance to younger generations.
The party plans to highlight the complete national song, which consists of six verses, and encourage greater awareness of its history.
The BJP’s resolution also linked Vande Mataram with India’s struggle against British rule, arguing that the song became an important symbol of resistance and national consciousness during the freedom movement.
The party maintained that the debate should not be viewed merely as a dispute between the BJP and Congress. It said the issue concerns the historical legacy of the freedom struggle and the sacrifices associated with India’s independence movement.
Saturday’s meeting was not limited to the Vande Mataram controversy. The BJP’s newly appointed national leadership also discussed preparations for upcoming Assembly elections, strengthening its grassroots organisation and improving communication about government initiatives.
The latest development is likely to keep the BJP-Congress confrontation over Vande Mataram alive, with the BJP now preparing to take its campaign on the national song to the grassroots and particularly target younger audiences.
