Shimla, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The BJP Legislature Party in Himachal Pradesh, led by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, staged a protest against the Congress government at Shimla’s historic Ridge on Sunday and collectively sang ‘Vande Mataram’ before the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
The protest lasted nearly one-and-a-half hours and was attended by BJP legislators and hundreds of party workers. The Ridge echoed with patriotic songs, slogans and renditions of ‘Vande Mataram’ during the programme.
Addressing the media, former Chief Minister Thakur said ‘Vande Mataram’ had inspired India’s freedom struggle and was associated with the sacrifices and patriotism of numerous freedom fighters.
Thakur said the BJP Legislature Party had made a simple request in the Assembly that the complete song be sung in the House with due honour and respect. He claimed that the song had initially been included in the proposed business of the Assembly but was removed before proceedings began.
He alleged that the BJP raised the issue in the Assembly, but the state government responded by creating a confrontation instead of accepting the demand.
Referring to the Congress’ historical position on the song, Thakur said the party had decided in 1937 to adopt only selected stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’. He also cited a letter dated April 6, 1938, from former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, claiming that it referred to objections over portions of the song.
Thakur maintained that in independent India, respect for ‘Vande Mataram’ cannot be determined by any single political party and that national sentiment, along with the country’s constitutional and democratic framework, must prevail.
“India is governed by its Constitution and the democratic institutions established under it, not by the directives of any political party,” he said.
The Leader of Opposition also rejected Congress allegations that BJP legislators had disrespected the national anthem in the Assembly. He said members of both the ruling Congress and Opposition BJP had stood respectfully when the national anthem was played.
Thakur said the BJP raised its demand for ‘Vande Mataram’ only after the national anthem had concluded
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