New Delhi, Dec 9, 2025 — Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, criticized the NDA-led government’s ongoing parliamentary debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, calling it a tactic to divert attention from pressing issues like economic slowdown, falling rupee value, unemployment, and internal security challenges.

Kharge said true patriotism lies in finding solutions to the hardships faced by citizens, rather than engaging in symbolic debates. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the discussion to influence upcoming West Bengal elections.

Responding to Modi’s remarks on the removal of stanzas from Vande Mataram under Nehru’s leadership, Kharge asserted that historical records show the decision was taken for social harmony after consultation with prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The Congress Working Committee had recommended singing only the first two stanzas at national gatherings, leaving organizers free to include other unobjectionable songs.

Kharge called on the government to stop spreading misinformation about freedom movement heroes and emphasized that the greatness of Vande Mataram transcends political debates and elections.