Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday criticised the Congress party for adopting a decision to sing only the first two stanzas of the national song "Vande Mataram", saying the move amounted to showing disrespect to the song and urging the party to clarify its position and apologise to the nation.
CM links decision to wider controversy
Mr Yadav said the Congress stance compounded earlier incidents that, he alleged, reflected the party's double standards on patriotic symbols. He referred to an episode involving councillors in the Indore municipal corporation, asserting that no action had been taken against them and that this, too, demonstrated the party's sentiments towards the song.
Discussing the recent nationwide observance of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the Chief Minister highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s effort to restore the song’s prominence by having it sung alongside the national anthem at the Red Fort. He said that the song had inspired generations of freedom fighters.
“It is very unfortunate to say that Congress is continuously becoming a subject of condemnation in the country because of its double standards regarding Vande Mataram,” Mr Yadav said.
Mr Yadav said the Congress should provide a public explanation for its decision and issue an apology. The criticism came after the Congress Working Committee resolved that only the first two stanzas of the song would be rendered at party functions, citing a 1937 party resolution.
Background: what prompted the Congress decision
The party’s move followed a controversy triggered after the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party parliamentary chairperson Sonia Gandhi engaged in conversation while the national song was being played during Independence Day events on August 15. The BJP demanded a public apology over that incident.
In response, the Congress Working Committee met and decided to adopt the practice of singing the two opening stanzas at its functions. The party cited an internal 1937 resolution in support of that approach; the recent resolution was followed by public attention and criticism from political opponents, including the MP Chief Minister.
Political and public implications
The dispute highlights how national symbols such as Vande Mataram remain politically sensitive and can become flashpoints between national parties. For a state government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the criticism is being used to place pressure on the Congress to respond and to shape public perception ahead of future political contests.
Observers note that decisions on the rendering of patriotic songs, often governed by party practices and historical resolutions, can carry symbolic weight and fuel wider debates about national identity and political loyalty.
Quick facts
- Decision under dispute: Congress Working Committee decided to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events.
- Chief Minister's demand: Clarification and apology from Congress for what he called disrespect to the national song.
- Context: Controversy after alleged conversation by senior Congress leaders during rendition of the song on August 15.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Person criticising | Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh |
| Target | Indian National Congress — decision on Vande Mataram |
| Party response cited | Congress Working Committee resolution to sing first two stanzas |
The exchange is likely to reverberate through party channels and the media in coming days, with both political symbolism and procedural history being cited by proponents on either side. The Chief Minister’s remarks link the party-level decision to wider allegations of disrespect that have already drawn national attention following the Independence Day events.
As the debate continues, the focus will remain on how national parties handle ceremonial practices at public events and on whether either side seeks to de-escalate the controversy through clarification or formal statements.
