‘A Historic Mistake’: Why critics believe the 1937 truncation of Vande Mataram should be reversed

The song ‘Vande Mataram’, penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in the late 19th century, is more than just a poem. It stood as a clarion call during India’s freedom struggle, a hymn that evoked pride in the motherland, inspiring countless freedom fighters.

Yet in 1937, the Congress Working Committee, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, made the decision to officially adopt only the first two stanzas of the original song for public and national use. The remaining verses, those that evoke traditional imagery including references to Hindu goddesses, were dropped, reportedly to placate religious sensitivities.

Why Critics Say It Was A Mistake:

This was more than a minor edit. According to political analysts, by excising large portions of the lyric, Congress effectively stripped Vand