The political controversy surrounding Vande Mataram has intensified after Congress leader Pawan Khera criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party over their comments on the Congress party's position on the national song.
Khera questioned the BJP and RSS over their criticism of Congress and asked whether those organisations had the authority to lecture the party on patriotism and the national song. His remarks were made amid an increasingly heated political exchange between the Congress and BJP over the rendition of Vande Mataram.
The latest controversy follows a decision by the Congress Working Committee to continue singing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events. The Congress has maintained that this follows the party's historical position adopted in 1937.
The BJP, however, has strongly criticised this position. BJP leaders have argued that Vande Mataram should be given its full recognition and have accused Congress of not showing adequate respect to the national song. BJP national president Nitin Nabin also criticised Congress over its decision and described the party's approach as disrespectful to national sentiments.
The dispute has now developed into a wider political argument over nationalism, the history of the freedom movement and the appropriate manner of rendering the national song at public and political events.
Congress leaders have defended their position by referring to the historical discussions surrounding Vande Mataram. The party has argued that the first two stanzas were specifically accepted for national use after discussions in the pre independence period. Congress leaders have also pointed to the historical role played by the song during India's freedom struggle.
The issue has also been discussed in Parliament and by the Union government. In January 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines concerning the six stanza version of Vande Mataram. Following those guidelines, All India Radio announced that it would begin broadcasting the full six stanza version from March 26, 2026, replacing its longstanding practice of broadcasting the two stanza version.
The historical background of the song has become an important part of the current political debate. Vande Mataram was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and became an important symbol during India's freedom movement. The first two stanzas have traditionally been used for national and public rendition, while the remaining portions have been the subject of historical and religious discussions.
The Congress has maintained that its two stanza practice has a historical basis. The party has cited the 1937 decision and the views expressed by several prominent leaders during the freedom movement and the period leading up to independence.
The BJP and its supporters have taken a different position, arguing that the complete version should receive greater recognition. BJP leaders have repeatedly criticised Congress over its approach to the song. The issue has consequently become part of the broader political debate between the two parties.
Pawan Khera's latest remarks add another layer to the confrontation. By directly questioning the RSS and BJP, the Congress leader has sought to challenge their criticism of his party's position. His statement reflects the wider political contest over the interpretation of national symbols and their role in contemporary politics.
The controversy is expected to continue as political parties debate the historical significance of Vande Mataram and the manner in which it should be rendered at different events.
It is important to distinguish political allegations from established facts. Statements describing another party or organisation as anti national, disloyal or politically motivated are positions expressed by political leaders and should be attributed accordingly.
The Vande Mataram debate therefore remains both a historical and political issue, with Congress defending its longstanding two stanza practice and the BJP and RSS demanding greater recognition for the complete composition.