By Admin 
Just hours before the year-long celebration of 150 years of Vande Mataram started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a big dispute broke out between BJP and Congress over this song. BJP seriously accused Congress of presenting Vande Mataram in a ‘historical distortion’.
What allegations did BJP make?
BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan said that in 1937, under the chairmanship of Pandit Nehru, Congress had adopted a shorter version of Vande Mataram and deliberately removed the lines in which Goddess Durga was praised. He also said that Vande Mataram was the voice of unity and patriotism of the country, but Congress made a historical mistake by linking it with religion.
New controversy citing Nehru’s letter
Kesavan referred to a letter written by Nehru to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in 1937 and said that Nehru had described the background of Vande Mataram as ‘disturbing’ for the Muslim community. He said Nehru had called the song ‘not suitable’ as a national anthem and described the association with the goddess as ‘absurd’. According to Kesavan, this was a historical mistake that weakened its national symbolic importance.
BJP targets Rahul Gandhi on the pretext of Nehru
Kesavan also alleged that Nehru’s ‘anti-Hindu mentality’ is being repeated in Rahul Gandhi’s statements today. He said that Rahul Gandhi had recently hurt the sentiments of crores of devotees by calling Chhath Puja a ‘drama’.
Congress’s counterattack: RSS-BJP do not sing Vande Mataram themselves
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hit back and said that those who today call themselves protectors of nationalism, i.e. RSS and BJP, never sang Vande Mataram or Jana Gana Mana in their branches and offices. Kharge said that these organizations only sing the song ‘Namaste Sada Vatsale’, which is a praise of the organization and not of the country.
Kharge’s sharp attack on RSS
Kharge said that RSS had supported the British during the independence movement and did not even hoist the national flag for 52 years. He alleged that the RSS insulted the Indian Constitution, burnt the effigies of Gandhiji and Ambedkar, and that Sardar Patel had also linked the RSS to Gandhiji’s assassination.
PM Modi starts national celebration series of 150 years of Vande Mataram
Amidst these political allegations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the year-long national celebration of 150 years of Vande Mataram at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. He also released a commemorative postage stamp and coin on this occasion. This event will run from 7 November 2025 to 7 November 2026 and will be dedicated to this song that inspires India’s independence and unity.