PM Modi leads Lok Sabha Debate on 150th Anniversary of Vande Mataram amid political row
New Delhi – The winter session of Parliament entered its second week with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading a debate in the Lok Sabha on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The discussion comes amid a political dispute after the PM alleged that the Congress removed certain lines from the song in 1937, claiming the omission “sowed the seeds of partition.”
The BJP-led NDA government received three hours for participation, while the total debate time has been set at ten hours. PM Modi began the discussion at 12 noon, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expected to address the House. After the Lok Sabha proceedings, the discussion will shift to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
Alongside NDA leaders, eight Congress MPs will speak in the Lok Sabha. These include Deputy LoP Gaurav Gogoi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Deepender Hooda, Bimol Akoijam, Praniti Shinde, Prashant Padole, Chamala Reddy, and Jyotsna Mahant.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh responded sharply to the PM’s claims. He stated that the decision to remove lines from Vande Mataram was made by the Congress Working Committee (CWC), which included Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Rajendra Prasad, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Ramesh criticized the PM for allegedly insulting both the CWC and Rabindranath Tagore. “That he should have done so is shocking but not surprising since the RSS played no role in our freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi,” he wrote on X.
In the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will initiate the debate. Lawmakers expect a detailed discussion on the historical significance and cultural relevance of the song, along with arguments over political interpretations.
Meanwhile, ministers will lay several papers in both houses. These include Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Culture, Jayant Chaudhary on Education, Pankaj Chaudhary on Finance, Shobha Karandlaje on Labour and Employment, Kirti Vardhan Singh on Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Harsh Malhotra on Corporate Affairs.
The Vande Mataram debate has drawn national attention, not only for its historical and cultural importance but also for the political exchanges it has triggered. PM Modi emphasized the need to honour the song’s legacy, while Congress leaders defended their historical decisions and criticized the government’s narrative.
Observers note that the discussion may influence broader debates on nationalism and cultural identity in Parliament. Lawmakers from both sides are expected to raise issues related to history, freedom struggle, and the symbolic importance of the song.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will continue the session with this topic at the forefront, reflecting ongoing political polarization. While the government aims to assert its narrative on cultural heritage, the opposition is determined to challenge claims and defend historical records.
Overall, the Vande Mataram debate highlights a mix of cultural commemoration and political contestation, demonstrating the centrality of historical memory in contemporary parliamentary discussions. Lawmakers will follow the debate closely, and media coverage has intensified as citizens monitor how Parliament navigates this symbolic issue.
