Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on Monday during a special discussion marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, placing the national song at the centre of a sweeping historical and political critique. The PM revisited the song’s origins, its role in the freedom struggle, and its many political flashpoints, while simultaneously targeting the Congress for what he called a “historic betrayal” of the song in 1937.

The debate came amid renewed political tension following Modi’s accusation that Congress had removed certain stanzas from Vande Mataram before Independence—a choice he said “sowed the seeds of Partition”. As the House listened to a detailed historical narrative mingled with contemporary political messaging, the Prime Minister laid out several key arguments.

Attack on Congress, Nehru
Modi said “some forces” in the last century committed a grave “vishwasghaat” (betrayal) against the national song. According to him, the Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, began opposing Vande Mataram in 1937, yet instead of resisting this pressure, Congress leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, began scrutinising the song itself. He referred to Nehru’s letter to Subhas Chandra Bose written within days of Jinnah’s protest, where Nehru allegedly said portions of the song might “irritate Muslims”. Modi said the country was shocked then, and this shock, he argued, should be remembered today.

He went on to say that on October 26, 1937, the Congress agreed to divide the song into acceptable and non-acceptable stanzas “under the excuse of communal harmony”, which he framed as appeasement rather than accommodation.

‘Led to Partition’, INC becomes ‘MMC’
Modi asserted that the decision to accept only parts of the song reflected Congress’s long-standing “politics of appeasement”, which he said eventually contributed to the Partition of India. He added that the Congress’s approach today remains unchanged, remarking that the INC has effectively become “MMC”—his term “Muslim League-y Mao-wadi Congress”, a coinage he recently used during the NDA’s celebrations after the Bihar election results.

Bankim Chandra and a Bengal Correction
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the author of Vande Mataram. “Bankim da wrote Vande Mataram at a time when it was fashionable to look down upon India,” Modi said. At this point, an Opposition MP from Bengal objected to his use of “da” (brother), suggesting he use “Bankim babu” instead, as a more formal and respectful address. Modi immediately accepted the correction with multiple expressions of thanks and used “babu” thereafter, a moment that briefly lightened the debate.

Bengal as the ‘Laboratory’ of Divide and Rule
Modi emphasised Bengal’s central role in British colonial strategy, calling it the “laboratory” of the Raj’s divide-and-rule policy. He referred specifically to the 1905 partition of Bengal, which triggered widespread political mobilisation and elevated Vande Mataram to the status of a mass anthem. “When the British committed the sin of dividing Bengal, Vande Mataram stood like a rock,” he said.

He also quoted lines in Bangla and Tamil, highlighting the song’s resonance across regions and languages, portraying it as a national unifier even amidst attempts by the colonial state to create divisions.

Why the British Banned It
Modi said that Vande Mataram was not only a political slogan but a “sacred war cry” for freedom. He described how British authorities, after trying to push “God Save the Queen” into Indian households, were compelled to ban Vande Mataram from 1905 to 1908 due to its rising influence. According to Modi, the suppression only strengthened the emotional and ideological connection Indians formed with the song.

Savarkar in London
The Prime Minister traced Vande Mataram’s reach far beyond India’s borders, noting that VD Savarkar would sing it at India House in London, keeping its revolutionary spirit alive among expatriate students and activists. Modi listed several freedom fighters who embraced the song and said that “we are sitting here today because lakhs chanted Vande Mataramand fought for Independence.”

50th Anniversary Under Colonial Rule, 100th Under Emergency
Modi drew a historical comparison between the song’s earlier anniversaries and the state of Indian democracy at the time. When Vande Mataram completed 50 years, he said, India remained under British rule. When it turned 100, the nation was under the Emergency imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi. “The Constitution was throttled, and those who lived and died for patriotism were pushed behind bars,” he said. Calling the Emergency a “dark chapter”, Modi argued that the present 150th anniversary offers an opportunity to correct the past and restore the honour of the national song.

In concluding his address, Modi said that commemorating Vande Mataram in Parliament was “a great privilege” and urged the House to ensure that the legacy and dignity of the national song were fully upheld for future generations.