Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party during a special two-day discussion on Vande Mataram in Parliament, asserting that the national song had played a defining role in shaping India’s cultural nationalism and inspiring freedom fighters. Opening the debate in the Rajya Sabha, Shah said, “Vande Mataram energised India’s freedom struggle. Vande Mataram also gives inspiration to people to move forward on the path of culture.”
Shah targets Congress on Partition
Making a strong remark, Shah said, “When Vande Mataram was curtailed after it completed 50 years, that is when appeasement started. That appeasement led to the partition of the country. Had the Congress not divided Vande Mataram for appeasement, the country would not have been divided into two… When Vande Mataram completed 100 years, Emergency was imposed. There was no scope for the glorification of the national song. Indira Gandhi imprisoned those who propagated and raised the slogan of Vande Mataram… When discussions were held in the Lok Sabha yesterday, both members of the Gandhi family were absent from the House. Right from Jawaharlal Nehru to the current leadership, Congress continues to oppose Vande Mataram.”
#WATCH | Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, ” When Vande Mataram was limited after it completed 50 years, that is when appeasement started. That appeasement led to the partition of the country. Had the Congress not divided Vande Mataram for appeasement, the country would not… pic.x.com/qbBxFQGaZ8
— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2025
Shah also confronted allegations that the debate was designed with an eye on the upcoming Bengal elections. “Some think these discussions are being held because of the upcoming elections in Bengal,” he said, calling the suggestion an attempt to demean the glorification of the national song. He underlined that although Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the composer of Vande Mataram, belonged to Bengal, the song transcended geography and had inspired people across India for generations. “When a soldier at the border or a policeman guarding the country from inside sacrifices his life for the nation, Vande Mataram is the slogan he raises,” Shah said.
Responding to opposition leaders who questioned the relevance of holding such an extensive debate, Shah argued that discussions on Vande Mataram were essential not only historically but also for India’s future vision. “The need for dedication towards Vande Mataram was important back then; it is needed now, and it will always be significant for the bright future we have envisioned for 2047,” he mentioned.
Kharge slams govt over Vande Mataram debate
Amit Shah’s comments triggered reactions from the opposition, marking one of the most politically charged moments of the discussion.
Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge responded, “We have a habit of singing ‘Vande Mataram’ but those who didn’t use to, now have started it as well. This is the power of ‘Vande Mataram.’ I pay my tribute to those who sacrificed their lives… Congress made ‘Vande Mataram’ the slogan of freedom. You are against everything. You were never in favour of patriotic songs, the Independence and freedom struggle.”
Kharge further accused the BJP of undermining the legacy of India’s founding leaders, stating, “Modi, Amit Shah never let go of a chance to insult Jawaharlal Nehru, other Congress leaders.”
Delhi: Congress President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge says, “…I sincerely thank you our home minister to give me the opportunity to speak, and I am grateful for that. On the historic occasion of 150 years of the national song ‘Vande Mataram,’ I got… pic.x.com/DbbloWclRs
— IANS (@ians_india) December 9, 2025
Speaking during the debate, Kharge reminded the House that the Congress Working Committee had collectively decided that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung at national events. He said the resolution was not taken by Jawaharlal Nehru alone but was endorsed by several senior leaders.
“…Congress Working Committee members, including Nehru ji, Mahatma Gandhi, Mauala Azad, Netaji Subhash Chandra ji, Sardar Patel ji, Govind Vallabh Pant ji passed a resolution recommending that wherever Vande Mataram is sung at national gatherings only the first two stanzas should be sung…Was Nehru ji alone in the Congress Working Committee? You are insulting all the other big leaders who took a collective decision. Why does the PM and the HM target Nehruji?”
He further accused the BJP of attempting to rewrite history, claiming that the Congress played a pivotal role in giving Vande Mataram national prominence during the independence movement.
“…When Mahatma Gandhi started the non-cooperation movement in 1921, lakhs of freedom fighters from the Congress went to jail chanting ‘Vande Mataram’. What were you doing? You were working for the Britishers…”