The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has formalised its position, stating the party will only sing the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, citing a 1937 resolution and the traditions of freedom fighters.

  • Congress will exclusively sing the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram.
  • The decision is rooted in a 1937 CWC resolution supported by Gandhi and Nehru.
  • CWC strategised nationwide protests against paper leaks and temple donation irregularities.

In a decisive move to end ongoing controversies, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) met in New Delhi on Wednesday to formalise the party's stance on the rendition of the national song, Vande Mataram. The party has officially decided that it will only sing the first two stanzas of the song during its various programmes and events.

AICC General Secretary in charge of organisation, KC Venugopal, addressed the media, stating there is "no confusion" within the party. He emphasized that the decision aligns with the 1937 CWC resolution, which was backed by the luminaries of the Indian independence movement, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Subhas Chandra Bose. Congress maintains that they are simply adhering to the historical traditions set by these founding fathers.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this development is a strategic attempt to decouple national symbols from political polarization. While the BJP has frequently accused the Congress of disrespecting the national song, the Congress leadership argues that the BJP is politicizing what should be purely emotional and patriotic sentiments. This friction comes at a time when the government has recently amended laws regarding insults to national honour.

Congress leaders argue that if singing the version used by Gandhi and Nehru is a crime, then the government must hold the nation's founding icons accountable.

Beyond the anthem controversy, the CWC meeting, attended by top brass including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, focused on aggressive political campaigning. The party is preparing for a massive countrywide agitation regarding examination paper leaks and the alleged "donation theft" involving the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Mallikarjun Kharge directed state units to take these issues to the grassroots level, including panchayats.

Historical Background

The Congress party's position is not new; it draws directly from the 1937 resolution. Furthermore, during the Constituent Assembly meeting on January 24, 1950, the first President of India, Rajendra Prasad, had reiterated the distinction between the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) and the National Song (Vande Mataram).

Did You Know?: The distinction between the National Anthem and the National Song was formally solidified during the first meetings of the Constituent Assembly in 1950.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is Congress only singing two stanzas of Vande Mataram?
The party is following a 1937 CWC resolution and the historical practice of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

2. What other major issues did the CWC discuss?
The committee discussed strategies for protesting against paper leaks and the alleged mismanagement of temple donations.