- The Congress Working Committee (CWC) today said the party will follow its 1937 resolution that only the first two stanzas will be sung at party events.
- The BJP accused the Congress of insulting the national song and stated it has become a "new Muslim League."
- The government had in February made it compulsory to sing the full Vande Mataram at public gatherings and official events and passed a Bill in Parliament to make it a criminal offence to disrupt or prevent the singing of the National Song.
- Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had also drawn criticism for singing the "incomplete" Vande Mataram version at a Goa event on Monday.
- The decision raises questions on the Congress's patriotism and loyalty to the country, said the BJP's national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi.
- "This decision has completely shattered the Congress claim of being the sole copyright holder of the freedom struggle," he said, adding that Congress has proved that it considers the party above the Constitution, Parliament and the country.
- Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal accused the BJP of doing politics over the National Song and the National Anthem, adding that these are emotional issues for the Congress.
- Venugopal today called the BJP claim a distraction tactic.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has reiterated its stance to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, adhering to a resolution from 1937. This decision has sparked significant backlash from the BJP, which accused Congress of becoming a 'new Muslim League' and questioned its patriotism and loyalty to the nation.
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi stated, "This decision has completely shattered the Congress claim of being the sole copyright holder of the freedom struggle," emphasizing that the party prioritizes its interests over the Constitution and the country. The BJP's criticism comes in light of a recent government mandate that requires the full version of Vande Mataram to be sung at public gatherings, making it a criminal offense to disrupt this practice.
In response, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal accused the BJP of politicizing national symbols, labeling their claims as a distraction tactic. He emphasized that issues surrounding the National Song and National Anthem are deeply emotional for Congress members. The controversy intensified after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge faced criticism for singing an incomplete version of Vande Mataram at a recent event in Goa.
This ongoing dispute highlights the tensions between the two parties regarding national identity and patriotism, as Congress seeks to maintain its historical stance while facing accusations from the BJP.
“BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi criticized Congress's decision, questioning its patriotism and loyalty to the country, claiming it undermines the party's historical role in the freedom struggle. In response, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal accused the BJP of politicizing emotional issues like the National Song and National Anthem.”
