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
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