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

As the Congress remains firm in its decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events going forward, the BJP, which has long advocated the full rendition at public gatherings, has lashed out at the party, branding it the “new Muslim League.”

Will stick to 1937 resolution: Cong

Among other decisions at its working committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday (August 19), the Congress decided to abide by the 1937 resolution of the CWC on Vande Mataram, saying only two stanzas of the national song would be sung at all party events from now on.

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The Congress’s decision came after the BJP accused its leaders of insulting Vande Mataram by not singing the full version at party events.

Besides Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the party’s highest decision-making body meeting was also attended by top leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

The decision of the party was announced by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal after the meeting.

‘Vande Mataram a political matter for BJP’

"There is no confusion on that...Our stand is very clear that the 1937 resolution decided in which Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, Subhas Chandra Bose and Sardar Patel – the top-most leadership of the party at that point of time were present,” he said.

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“Whatever the decision they took, we have decided that. We are very clear that our Congress party workers will do that only. This is our decision," he told reporters.

Asked whether only two stanzas of Vande Mataram will be sung at party events, he said, "Yes, first two stanzas." Venugopal said singing of Vande Mataram and the National Anthem is an emotional issue for the Congress, but for the BJP, it is a political matter.

Congress insulting Bharat Mata, martyrs: BJP chief

BJP president Nitin Nabin called the Congress’s decision on Vande Mataram rendition an “insult to the sacred invocation of Bharat Mata” calling the party “the new Muslim League”.

The song, parts of which the Indian National Congress adopted as the national song in 1937, was completely opposed by the All India Muslim League and its leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“This insult to the sacred invocation of 'Bharat Mata' is a disdain for those thousands of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation, keeping this very song in their consciousness,” Nabin said in a post on X.

“The Congress has now formalised its insult (to Vande Mataram) into a resolution. Its working committee has decided that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram will be sung at Congress forums," Nabin said.

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“The Congress has now become the new Muslim League today," he added.

In a veiled reference to a row over singing of the full version of Vande Mataram during the Independence Day event at the Congress office on August 15, Nabin said the same insult to the national song reflected in an "individual's conduct" a few days ago. Still, the Congress dismissed it as a "coincidence".

"Today, that very insult has become the Congress's policy," he said.

"This is not merely a political defence, but proof of the hunger for that vote bank at the altar of which the Congress has repeatedly mortgaged the nation's self-respect,” he added.

‘Shatters Cong claim of copyright holder of freedom struggle’

Sharing similar sentiments, BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the Congress’s decision has also raised questions on its “patriotism and loyalty” to the country. Terming the Congress’ decision “extremely condemnable”, Trivedi said, “This decision has completely shattered its (the Congress’) claim of being the self-proclaimed sole copyright holder of the freedom struggle.” With its decision, the BJP leader said, the Congress has also proved that it considers itself above the “Constitution, Parliament and the country”.

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“The Muslim League was vehemently against the full version of Vande Mataram in 1931. With the same stubbornness, the Congress has taken the decision on Vande Mataram at its meeting today despite a law has been passed by Parliament (on singing of the full version of Vande Mataram),” he added.

“Instead of forgetting such a shameful chapter or rectifying the situation, the Congress has embraced it. It reveals the party's current state. There is no longer any doubt that its loyalty to the nation completely comes under suspicion,” he added.