New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday strongly countered Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s criticism of the government’s decision to hold a parliamentary discussion on Vande Mataram, dismissing allegations that the move was politically motivated ahead of the 2026 West Bengal elections.
Without naming Priyanka Gandhi, Shah said some members questioned the need for the discussion, but Vande Mataram deserved national attention at every stage of India’s history — “when it was written, when India became free, today, and even in 2047”. He added that linking the national song with electoral politics was “unfortunate”.
Shah emphasised that although Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was from Bengal, Vande Mataram was never confined to the state. “Anywhere in the world, when freedom fighters met in hideouts, they said Vande Mataram. Even today, when our troops sacrifice their lives, the words on their lips are Vande Mataram,” he told the Rajya Sabha.
Priyanka Gandhi’s Criticism
A day earlier, Priyanka Gandhi had alleged that the government was using the Vande Mataram debate as a distraction while refusing to discuss pressing national issues. She questioned the need for a fresh debate on the national song, saying the country had accepted it for 150 years.
“You refused a debate on electoral reforms but insisted we debate this. Your objective is to keep us in the past,” she said.
Shah Targets Nehru and Indira Gandhi
In his speech, Shah accused India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of “appeasement” for restricting Vande Mataram to two stanzas on its 50th anniversary. He claimed that splitting the song marked the beginning of appeasement politics, which “eventually led to Partition”.
He also criticised former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, alleging that those who chanted Vande Mataram were jailed during the Emergency.
Kharge Responds with ‘Vande Mataram’
Responding to Shah, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge opened his speech with “Vande Mataram”. He asserted that the Congress had popularised the slogan during the freedom movement and accused the ruling party of selectively targeting Nehru.
Kharge reminded the House that it was the Congress Working Committee that unanimously decided in 1937 that only the first two stanzas of the song be sung at national events. “Why blame Nehruji alone?” he asked.
He also alleged the government was using the debate for electoral gains in West Bengal, saying, “The true tribute to Bharat Mata would be this Parliament working on people’s issues.”