BJP Slams Congress Over 'Vande Mataram' Decision, Passes 10-Point Counter-Resolution

Political tensions escalated significantly as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp counter-offensive against the Congress party's stance on the national song 'Vande Mataram'. During the first major meeting of the newly appointed national team in New Delhi, chaired by party president Nitin Nabin, leadership commenced proceedings by singing all six verses of the national song.BJP Passes 10-Point ResolutionThe core of the ruling party's meeting centered around passing a robust 10-point resolution that strongly condemns the Congress Working Committee's (CWC) recent decision to limit the singing of 'Vande Mataram' to its first two stanzas at official party programs.The BJP’s leadership, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party spokespersons, criticized the move, labeling it as an affront to national pride, historical legacy, and the freedom fighters who chanted the slogan during India's independence movement. The ruling party announced plans for nationwide demonstrations and public awareness campaigns to highlight the full significance of the anthem.Zero Compromise on National HonorThe newly passed resolution explicitly states that no political compromise or appeasement strategy will be permitted to undermine the dignity or complete form of 'Vande Mataram'. Highlighting Mahatma Gandhi's historical descriptions of the song as an anti-imperialist anthem infused with pure nationalist spirit, the BJP resolved to take its complete history and cultural heritage to every corner of the country."The BJP strongly condemns and unequivocally opposes the Congress decision... Vande Mataram is an expression of reverence for Bharat Mata and an immortal symbol of India's national consciousness," party president Nitin Nabin noted in a public address.Congress Defends Stance Using 1937 ResolutionThe controversy was sparked when the Congress Working Committee decided to revert to its historic 1937 resolution, which restricted party events to singing only the first two stanzas. Senior Congress leadership, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, defended the move by stating they were honoring a tradition established during the freedom struggle by founding figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Rabindranath Tagore.Legal Framework and Statutory ProtectionThe debate unfolds against the backdrop of recent legislative actions. Parliament recently passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, extending statutory protection to 'Vande Mataram' equivalent to that accorded to the National Anthem. Under this legal framework, intentional public disrespect or disruption during the singing of the national song carries penal consequences, including imprisonment of up to three years.