To mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recited the full version. Accusing Congress of having ‘torn apart’ the poem in 1937, Congress adopted a truncated version as the national song. Modi alleged that this was done to appease communal sentiments. Modi pointed out that the portion had a mention of Hindu goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
To support the above statement, PM Modi shared the letters from 1937 written by Jawaharlal Nehru to Subhas Chandra Bose. In that letter, Nehru admitted that the hymn Vande Mataram’s religious imagery would create unease in sections of the Muslim community.
In those letters, Nehru wrote, “manufactured by communalists,” though he conceded “some substance” in the discomfort expressed.
Congress’ Stand in 1937
Highlighting the Congress’ divisive mindset, Modi pointed out that during the Faizpur session in December 1937, Congress passed a resolution to only sing the initial two stanzas of Vande Mataram at national gatherings. Giving the reason for this, Congress then said the verses after the second line refer directly to Hindu deities, and this is exclusionary for a multi-religious nation. However, the resolution never stopped anyone from singing the complete version if they wished to.
BJP leaders said such a selective resolution clearly shows the ‘divisive mindset’ and that the seed of partition was planted right from the start by Congress.
Countering this argument, Congress said BJP and their mentor, as per history, denied singing Vande Mataram themselves. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJP’s position was “deeply ironic,” and that they never sang Vande Mataram in the first place.
What is the complete version of Vande Mataram?
Vande Mataram depicted India as a nurturing and powerful mother — who is both fierce and gentle. While the first verse talks of the motherland, the later lines take the mother figure to divine status, which is parallel to Maa Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati — symbolizing strength, prosperity, and wisdom. This imagery was poetic for some, for others a religious metaphor — even after 150 years, the debate continues.
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