A sharp national debate has reignited around Vande Mataram, India’s national song, as political, ideological, and religious tensions converge amid rising controversies. As Parliament marked 150 years of Vande Mataram, written on 7 November 1875, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened a special discussion, accusing the Congress of historically bowing to Muslim League pressure and fragmenting the national song. The opposition countered, alleging that the government is politicising a non-issue for electoral gain, especially with the upcoming Bengal polls.

The dispute echoes a historical pattern. In 1936, the Muslim League under Muhammad Ali Jinnah passed a resolution opposing Vande Mataram, claiming Muslim schoolchildren were being forced to sing it and objecting to references to Hindu deities.

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