The political confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition party, Congress, over the national song, Vande Mataram, escalated on Thursday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the Congress of pursuing ‘appeasement politics’. He also alleged that the party’s decision on the song, dating back to 1937, laid the foundation for the Partition of India. 

However, the Congress retaliated, accusing the saffron party of manufacturing a controversy to divert the public’s attention from issues like unemployment and paper leaks. 

The war of words ensued after a decision by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Wednesday to adhere to a 1937 party resolution under which only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram shall be sung at the events organised by the party. 

Congress’ decision anti-national: Minister Shah

Minister Shah mounted a sharp attack on the Congress, terming the CWC’s decision ‘anti-national’ and alleging that the party had divided Vande Mataram in 1937 to appease Muslims. 

He continued by saying that the decision had culminated in circumstances which led to the country’s partition. He added that the Narendra Modi-led government had corrected what he termed the Congress’ mistake by ramping up national unity and providing a legal framework for the national song. 

Furthermore, the Home Minister also levelled allegations against the Congress of insulting both Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s composition and the people who laid down their lives during the freedom struggle. 

Shah went on to say that Congress was once again pursuing appeasement politics under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and urged the country to oppose the party’s decision. He said  the BJP condemned the CWC’s resolution. 

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh hits back

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh junked Minister Shah’s criticism, alleging that the BJP was trying to turn an emotional issue for the Congress into a political controversy. 

Ramesh claimed that the government was avoiding discussion on issues like paper leaks, unemployment and alleged that ‘Chanda Chori’ (theft of donations) while using Vande Mataram to divert public attention. 

He also asked how the CWC’s decision to sing two stanzas of the national song can be termed ‘disrespectful’ when the Congress had not raised slogans against Vande Mataram.

Backdrop of the controversy

The CWC had resolved on Wednesday that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung at all future party programmes. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party was merely following the 1937 resolution adopted in the presence of its prominent leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, Subhas Chandra Bose and Sardar Patel.

Venugopal said the party’s position was “very clear” and that Congress workers would follow the decision at organisational events.