Stories
Amit Shah Slams Congress Over Vande Mataram Stand, Calls it 'Anti-National'
- •Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacked Congress for its decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, despite a new law making disrespect to the national song a criminal offense.
- •Shah, in Chennai, termed Congress's stance as 'anti-national' and accused the party of sowing seeds of partition in 1937 by dividing Vande Mataram for Muslim appeasement.
- •He stated that the Congress Working Committee's decision to follow its 1937 resolution on Vande Mataram is an 'anti-national decision'.
- •Shah criticized Rahul Gandhi's leadership, alleging that Congress is reviving appeasement politics similar to 1937.
- •The Home Minister asserted that the Modi government corrected Congress's past mistake to strengthen national unity and condemned Congress's decision as an insult to freedom fighters and Bankim Babu's creation.
Key Questions Answered
If the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is passed, intentionally insulting or obstructing the national song 'Vande Mataram' could lead to up to three years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. This proposed legislation aims to give 'Vande Mataram' the same legal protection as the National Anthem.
The Congress's stance on Vande Mataram has intensified a political debate, with critics questioning the party's approach to cultural and patriotic expressions. The controversy has led to accusations from the BJP that the Congress is disrespecting a national symbol and has become the "new Muslim League". This has turned the issue into a broader discussion about patriotism, nationalism, and the party's commitment to national symbols.
The Vande Mataram issue is likely to impact upcoming elections in India, as debates over national symbols, patriotism, and cultural identity often gain prominence during election cycles. The BJP has previously used such issues, including the Uniform Civil Code, as part of its broader ideological messaging in elections.
