Overview
On 22 August 2026, Mallikarjun Kharge responded to a resolution passed by the BJP that condemned the Congress Working Committee's 1937 decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party programmes. Kharge questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders had never sung the full version and suggested the issue is a political ploy.
Key Developments
- Kharge asked why PM Modi did not sing the complete Vande Mataram during his 13½‑year tenure as Gujarat CM and 12 years as Prime Minister.
- He reiterated the Congress position that the practice of singing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram and one stanza of Jana Gana Mana follows a decision taken 90 years ago.
- Kharge accused the RSS of using the issue to polarise voters and to consolidate Hindutva votes.
- He warned against changing patriotic symbols whenever a new government comes to power, calling it detrimental to national respect.
- Kharge highlighted the BJP’s recent use of the term Dimaagi Naxal and warned that such tactics could alienate the youth.
- He recalled a alleged “purification” ritual at Ramlila Maidan, Uttarakhand, describing it as a publicity stunt aimed at mobilising Hindutva forces.
Important Facts
The Congress Working Committee’s 1937 resolution limited the singing of Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas and Jana Gana Mana to its first stanza. This practice has been observed for nine decades across party events. Kharge asserted that even Modi complied with this tradition when he sang the songs at official functions.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the political symbolism of national songs is essential for GS 1 (History & Culture) and GS 2 (Polity). The episode illustrates:
- How historical decisions (1937 Congress resolution) continue to shape contemporary political discourse.
- The role of ideological organisations like the RSS in influencing party strategies.
- The use of cultural issues as electoral tools, relevant to questions on political mobilisation and secularism.
- References to leaders such as Ambedkar and Nehru underscore the ideological foundations of the Congress.
Way Forward
For aspirants, the key take‑aways are:
- Monitor how parties invoke historical symbols to frame contemporary narratives.
- Analyse the impact of ideological groups like the RSS on policy and electoral strategies.
- Assess the implications of politicising cultural symbols for secularism and national integration, a recurring theme in GS 4 ethics questions.
Future debates may centre on whether the practice of limiting the verses of national songs should be revisited, and how such decisions intersect with constitutional values of secularism and cultural diversity.