Vande Mataram row: What was Congress’ 1937 resolution
The Congress party has decided to sing only the first two stanzas of the National Song, Vande Mataram, at party events, citing a 1937 resolution. This decision has sparked a political controversy, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah accusing the party of being anti-national and insulting the song.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the ongoing ideological polarization in Indian politics regarding national symbols and historical party resolutions.
The row over Vande Mataram intensified on Thursday (August 20, 2026) with Union Home Minister Amit Shah launching a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that its decision to sing only two stanzas was “anti-national” and intended to appease its vote bank in defiance of the law.
The Congress strongly rebutted Mr. Shah’s charge that the party had insulted the National Song, asserting that it has always respected the song and accused the BJP of attempting to manufacture a political controversy . Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described BJP leaders as “fraudulent nationalists”.
The war of words escalated after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) decided to abide by the 1937 resolution of its highest decision-making body on Vande Mataram , stating that only two stanzas of the National Song would be sung at all party events henceforth.
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