The discussion in the Lok Sabha on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram quickly turned political, spotlighting West Bengal ahead of its assembly elections scheduled for March-April 2026. The debate underscored deep divides between the ruling BJP and the Congress, with both sides invoking historical and cultural narratives to assert their positions.

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PM Modi Links Vande Mataram to Bengal, Partition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the debate by recalling the British colonial policy of divide-and-rule, specifically pointing to the 1905 partition of Bengal. Modi emphasized Bengal’s intellectual and cultural prominence, arguing that the British sought to weaken India by dividing the region.

BJP MPs chanted slogans such as “Bihar ki jeet hamari hai, ab Bengal ki baari hai” and “Vande Mataram” as Modi entered, signaling the party’s electoral focus on the state following its November 2025 Bihar assembly victory.

Modi criticized the Congress, especially Jawaharlal Nehru, for reportedly bowing to Muslim League objections in 1937 to prevent the full adoption of Vande Mataram. Only the first two stanzas were officially included, omitting references to Hindu goddesses in the latter four stanzas. Modi argued that this “appeasement” was linked to the political compromises that eventually led to India’s partition in 1947.

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Cultural Sensitivities and Parliamentary Etiquette

During his speech, Modi initially referred to the author Bankim Chandra Chatterjee as “Bankim da,” a colloquial Bengali term. Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy objected, requesting “babu” as a more respectful suffix. Modi promptly complied, demonstrating awareness of linguistic and cultural sensitivities.

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Congress Pushback: Priyanka Gandhi and Gaurav Gogoi

Congress leaders accused the government of politicizing the national song to influence voters in Bengal. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra dismissed the debate as an election tactic, saying, “The government wants us to keep delving in past because it does not want to look at present and future. You (BJP) are for the elections, we are for the country.”

Gaurav Gogoi highlighted Bengal’s historical contribution to the freedom movement and credited Rabindranath Tagore with first setting Vande Mataram to music during the 1896 Calcutta Congress session. Jairam Ramesh added that the Prime Minister’s remarks insulted Tagore, noting that the Bengali poet had endorsed the inclusive nature of the first two stanzas.

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Historical and Electoral Context

Vande Mataram was written in the 1870s by Bengali author Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and later included in his 1882 novel Anand Math. Its Bengali origins and cultural significance have often made Bengal central to discussions on national songs, sometimes sparking disputes over interpretations and inclusivity.

Bengal has long been a key political battleground. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) has governed the state since 2011, while the BJP secured 77 seats in the 2021 assembly elections—its best performance to date. With the 2026 polls approaching, cultural symbols like Vande Mataram have become intertwined with political messaging.

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Cultural Controversies and Political Symbolism

The recent debate also follows a series of controversies over Bengali literary figures and songs, including Aamar Sonar Bangla. Senior Congress leaders’ singing of the song in Assam triggered accusations from BJP leaders of being “anti-national,” reflecting the sensitivity of cultural symbols in electoral politics.

Mamata Banerjee downplayed the Parliament debate, saying she had no objection but criticized the BJP for not respecting freedom fighters such as Subhas Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore.

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Takeaway

The Lok Sabha debate shows how historical and cultural narratives, particularly surrounding Vande Mataram, are being used strategically in the lead-up to West Bengal’s 2026 assembly elections. While PM Modi invoked history and national pride, Congress leaders framed the discussion as political maneuvering aimed at influencing voters, highlighting the complex interplay of culture, history, and politics in India’s electoral landscape.