Vande Mataram at 150: Celebration, Controversy, and the Song That Shaped India’s Soul

Introduction: 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’ – The Song That Awakened a Nation

This week, India marked 150 years of “Vande Mataram”, the national song that became the spiritual heartbeat of the freedom struggle. From Delhi to Hyderabad, from Srinagar to Coimbatore, the air reverberated with the soul-stirring words “Vande Mataram” — a phrase that once united millions under the banner of independence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address from Varanasi, called it “not just a song, but a mantra, a dream, a resolution, and an energy that continues to guide Bharat towards Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Yet, amidst grand celebrations, political sparks flew as the BJP and Congress reignited a historical debate: Did Congress drop key stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ in 1937?

The Song and Its Origins: A Creation of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

“Vande Mataram” was penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and first published in his iconic novel Anandamath (1882). The song celebrated Bharat Mata — the motherland personified — and invoked divine feminine energy through references to Durga and Saraswati.

It was first sung publicly at the Indian National Congress session in 1896, by Rabindranath Tagore, and instantly became a rallying cry for revolutionaries.

“Mother, I bow to thee,
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with orchard gleams…”

The full poem originally had six stanzas, but only the first two were adopted as India’s national song in 1937 — a decision that has now resurfaced in political debate.

The 1937 Decision: Why Congress Dropped Some Verses

According to historical records and accounts cited by NDTV and The Indian Express, the Congress Working Committee under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose decided in October 1937 to adopt only the first two stanzas of “Vande Mataram” for official use.

The reason?
The later verses contained explicit references to Hindu deities like Durga, which some Muslim League leaders felt conflicted with their faith. In the interest of national unity, the Congress chose a shorter, more inclusive version.

However, this act — while pragmatic — sowed seeds of controversy that still echo today.

The 2025 Row: PM Modi vs Congress

During the 150th anniversary celebration, Prime Minister Modi accused the Congress of “insulting Bankim Chandra by mutilating his sacred verses.” He said the 1937 decision was an early example of appeasement politics, adding that “those who divided the song later divided the nation.”

Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president, hit back strongly:

“The BJP is trying to rewrite history and twist facts. It was the same Congress that popularized Vande Mataram during the freedom movement.”

Kharge further alleged that the RSS itself “never accepted Vande Mataram as the national song”, pointing to hypocrisy in the BJP’s accusations.

The TMC and Bengal’s Perspective

In West Bengal, the debate took a cultural turn.
Trinamool Congress leaders defended Rabindranath Tagore, who had once advised Nehru that the song’s later stanzas might alienate minorities. TMC spokespersons accused the BJP of “politicizing Bengal’s icons”, saying that “Tagore respected Bankim, but he also respected India’s diversity.”

The BJP’s Counter and the “Forgotten History” Narrative

The BJP, on the other hand, presented historical documents claiming that Nehru deliberately removed stanzas mentioning ‘Ma Durga’, calling it “a blot on India’s spiritual heritage.”

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy stated in Hyderabad that “Vande Mataram was not just a song against British rule — it inspired resistance against the Nizam and Razakar forces too.”

Meanwhile, Amit Shah urged citizens to take a “Swadeshi pledge” inspired by the song’s message of self-reliance, linking it to the government’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Nationwide Celebrations: From Kashmir to Kanyakumari

Across India, the 150th anniversary turned into a week-long patriotic celebration:

• President Droupadi Murmu hailed Vande Mataram as “a proclamation of India’s unity and eternal resilience.”

• CRPF and Indian Railways organized patriotic parades and musical tributes.

• In Jammu, LG Manoj Sinha led a commemorative march near the International Border.

• Delhi Assembly unveiled a commemorative plaque, while traffic restrictions were enforced around key venues.

• Vijayawada, Mysuru, and Puttaparthi saw school and college students perform choreographed renditions of the song.

Social media, too, was flooded with the hashtag #VandeMataram150, with PM Modi posting,

“150 years of a song that awakened our national consciousness — may its spirit continue to guide us towards strength and unity.”

The Song’s Cultural and Political Legacy

While debates rage, one thing remains undisputed: “Vande Mataram” is woven into the fabric of India’s freedom story.

From Bipin Chandra Pal to Aurobindo Ghosh, from Annie Besant to Bhagat Singh, the chant of “Vande Mataram” transcended religion, region, and ideology.

Swarajyamag aptly summarized:

“Vande Mataram is more than melody — it is memory, sacrifice, and the sound of a civilization asserting itself.”

Why Some Groups Still Oppose the Song

As DNA India reported, some sections within the Muslim community still refrain from singing Vande Mataram, arguing that worshipping the motherland as a goddess conflicts with monotheistic belief. However, others interpret it symbolically — as an act of national reverence rather than religious worship.

This dual interpretation continues to spark discussions about nationalism, inclusivity, and identity in a diverse India.

Modern Relevance: From Freedom Cry to Nation-Building Vision

Today, as India steps into its Amrit Kaal, “Vande Mataram” represents not just a historical memory but a living inspiration.
In PM Modi’s words:

“It is the heartbeat of Bharat, reminding every citizen that no goal is impossible when we bow with devotion to our motherland.”

The government has announced a year-long commemoration, including exhibitions, digital archives, school competitions, and a documentary titled “Vande Mataram: 150 Years of the Nation’s Song.”

Conclusion: The Eternal Flame of ‘Vande Mataram’

From the pages of Anandamath to the stages of Independence, “Vande Mataram” has traversed 150 years of India’s journey — from subjugation to sovereignty, from division to unity.

While politics may color its interpretations, the song’s essence remains timeless — a salute to the land that gives us breath, identity, and belonging.

As Bankim Chandra himself envisioned,

“Bharat Mata is not a goddess of one religion — she is the soul of all her children.”