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.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement advocating a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has created a political uproar. BJP has termed this statement as anti-democratic and has accused Congress of politics of lies and appeasement.

In fact, Kharge had written on After this statement of Kharge, BJP leaders reacted sharply.

Recently, topics related to Gandhiji, Godse, RSS and 2002 Gujarat riots have been removed from three NCERT books.

Modi government is always trying to convert lies into truth, which makes their intentions understandable. pic.twitter.com/eVqAhvnr6z

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 31, 2025

Dharmendra Pradhan hit back

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “There has been no change in the repressive thinking of the Congress party since the Emergency till today. Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement of banning RSS is an example of anti-democratic mentality.” He further said, “Congress has always ignored the legacy of Sardar Patel and is now using his name to spread lies about a national-serving organization like RSS. The same people who had earlier banned the RSS to save power are now showing the same mentality.”

He also said that when Congress was in power, it promoted radical organizations like PFI, whereas RSS has continuously worked for the unity and integrity of the country.

There has been no change in the repressive thinking of the Congress Party since the Emergency till today. This has become his basic character. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s demand to ban Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a direct example of anti-democratic and suppressive thinking. Today… https://t.co/lfr6MeOm28

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) October 31, 2025

Statement of BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan

BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan said that Kharge’s statement is part of Congress’s strategy of frustration and distraction. He said, “Public anger has erupted in Bihar and across the country over Rahul Gandhi making fun of Chhath Puja. To divert attention from that anger, Kharge ji has given an absurd statement on RSS.”

Kesavan further said, “When Prime Minister Modi exposed the conspiracies of Congress on Sardar Patel’s legacy, the party was stunned. The entire country knows that Sardar Patel had called RSS a nationalist organization. Rahul Gandhi should tell what he had to say on the letter written by Patel to Nehru, in which the National Herald case was mentioned.”

There were several attempts to ban RSS – Naresh Bansal

Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal said, “There were several attempts to ban RSS, but the Sangh emerged stronger every time. RSS prepares nationalist youth who are dedicated to serving the country.” He said, “Nehru ji had said that there would be no saffron in the country, but today the whole of India is colored in saffron. The leaders who make statements like Kharge are just trying to please their masters.”

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