Patna, August 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday criticised the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution to retain the practice of singing only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ at party events, calling it an “insult to Bharat Mata”.
The remarks came after the CWC resolved to continue the convention established by its 1937 decision, under which only the first two stanzas of the national song are sung at Congress programmes. The issue has gained significance after the Centre included the complete rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ in official protocol, placing it on par with the National Anthem.
Speaking to reporters in Patna, Chouhan said ‘Vande Mataram’ had been a source of inspiration for revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives for the country.
“‘Vande Mataram’ was chanted by thousands of revolutionaries who happily embraced the gallows and sacrificed their lives for the country. Vande Mataram is the pride of India,” he said.
“Not singing the complete Vande Mataram is not just an insult to the national song but an insult to Bharat Mata,” Chouhan added.
The BJP leader also endorsed allegations made by party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad that the Congress decision in 1937 was taken under pressure from the Muslim League.
“The (Muslim) League mentality of the Congress has not changed yet. In 1937, under the pressure of the Muslim League, the Congress party had decided to not sing the full song,” Chouhan alleged.
Prasad had similarly claimed at a press conference on Tuesday that the Congress had reached an understanding with the Muslim League in 1936-37 and that the latter had objected to the remaining stanzas on religious grounds.
Chouhan further accused the Congress of being disconnected from India’s culture, traditions, moral values and roots, alleging that the party was instead pursuing “vote bank politics”.
Referring to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, he questioned whether the Congress considered itself above Parliament and the Constitution.
“The citizens of the country will not tolerate this insult to ‘Bharat Mata’ and will never forgive the Congress for this,” he asserted.
Earlier, BJP president Nitin Nabin had also attacked the CWC decision, accusing the Congress of making what he termed an “insult” to the national song an official party position and describing it as the “new Muslim League”.
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