Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, defending the party's practice of singing a shorter version of Vande Mataram. He questioned if following the traditions of Gandhi and Nehru makes the party 'anti-national'.

  • Mallikarjun Kharge defended singing the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram.
  • He cited a 1937 consensus by Gandhi, Nehru, Bose, and Patel.
  • Kharge accused the BJP of using the issue for political polarization.

Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday regarding the ongoing Vande Mataram controversy. Speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi, Kharge rejected the Centre's accusations of 'appeasement politics' and 'anti-nationalism'.

Defending the Congress party's long-standing tradition, Kharge stated that the practice of singing only the first two stanzas of the national song is not a recent development. He highlighted that in 1937, iconic freedom fighters including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had collectively agreed upon this shorter version.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this confrontation reflects the intensifying ideological tug-of-war in Indian politics, where symbols of national identity are frequently used as battlegrounds for political legitimacy and nationalist credentials.

If we sing according to what our national leaders decided, are we to be labeled Desha Drohis?

Kharge drew a parallel with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, noting that the full five stanzas are not typically sung in official ceremonies. He questioned why the issue was being raised now, especially since Amit Shah has held the Home Ministry for several years without addressing the protocol for the hymn.

Furthermore, the Congress leader accused the Narendra Modi-led government of engaging in the 'politics of polarization'. He urged the government to shift its focus from historical debates to pressing contemporary issues such as inflation, unemployment, and education.

In a separate political jab, Kharge criticized the Centre for denying political clearance for Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy's proposed visit to the United States. He argued that such diplomatic and economic missions are vital for attracting investment and creating jobs, which ultimately benefits the entire nation.

Did You Know?: Vande Mataram was a central anthem during the Indian independence movement, serving as a rallying cry against colonial rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the core of the Vande Mataram dispute?
The dispute involves whether the full version of the song should be sung or if the two-stanza version, historically used by many, is acceptable.

2. What historical precedent did Kharge mention?
Kharge mentioned that major leaders like Gandhi and Nehru agreed to the two-stanza version in 1937.