Amit Shah calls Congress decision on Vande Mataram 'anti-national'

Lashing out at the Congress for its decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, Union Minister Amit Shah on Thursday (August 20) called the move “an anti-national decision”. The remarks come a day after the Congress leadership announced that it would stick to its 1937 resolution on singing the first two stanzas of the song.

Shah further alleged that the Congress “divided” Vande Mataram in 1937 for appeasing Muslims and paved the way for the partition of the country.

"Yesterday, Congress Working Committee took an anti-national decision. Following their 1937 resolution, Congress decided to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram. I want to remind the nation that in 1937, by dividing Vande Mataram for the appeasement of Muslims, the Congress laid the foundation for the partition of the country,” said Shah as quoted by ANI.

Appeasement charge

Elaborating further, the Union Home Minister said that the Narendra Modi government has corrected the Congress’ mistake. “Congress's decision confirms its policy of appeasement. They have not only insulted this creation of Bankim Babu but also lakhs of people who laid down their lives for the freedom of the country,” said Shah.

He further alleged that by sticking to its 1937 resolution, Congress was rejecting a law passed by the Parliament.

Also Read: Cong decides to limit Vande Mataram to two stanzas; ‘new Muslim League,’ snaps BJP

“Today, the Congress party is implementing its 1937 resolution but rejecting a law made by the Parliament. I am surprised that the Congress party, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, is once again taking forward appeasement politics,” he added.

“The country has once made the mistake of letting Vande Mataram be divided into two parts, and we have faced its consequences. Now, the country should come together against this decision of the Congress party and say that their politics of appeasement will not work anymore. BJP condemns this decision of the Congress party,” said Shah.

Congress sticks to 1937 resolution

The Congress on Wednesday (August 19) announced that it has decided to follow its 1937 resolution and sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at programmes.

Also Read: Vande Mataram row: Can a gesture or a remark amount to an offence?

“Our stand is very clear,” said KC Venugopal, adding that Congress workers would follow the decision.

Asked if the first two stanzas would be sung, he replied, “Yes, first two stanzas.”

BJP intensifies criticism

The BJP slammed the move with party president Nitin Nabin calling it an “insult to the sacred invocation of Bharat Mata”.

“The Congress has now become the new Muslim League today.” BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the decision had “completely shattered” Congress’s claim over the freedom struggle.