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The BJP passed a resolution condemning the Congress Working Committee's reaffirmation of its 1937 decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events, announcing a nationwide campaign to uphold the full six-stanza version. Congress leaders defended the practice as longstanding, while opposition figures accused the BJP of diverting attention from economic issues.
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday passed a 10-point resolution condemning the Congress Working Committee's (CWC) decision to reaffirm its 1937 resolution restricting the singing of Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at party programmes. The resolution, adopted at the party's National Office Bearers meeting, vowed to protect the honour, dignity, and national status of the complete six-stanza version of the national song.
The resolution criticizes the CWC's decision of 19 August 2026, which re-adopted the 1937 limit, and states that a CWC resolution cannot override constitutional institutions or laws. It also asserts that a political compromise of 1937 cannot be elevated above the constitutional settlement of 1950 and legislation enacted by Parliament in 2026. The BJP resolved to highlight Mahatma Gandhi's description of Vande Mataram as an "anti-imperialist cry" linked to the "purest national spirit" and to oppose subjecting the National Song to "communal pressure, political appeasement or narrow vote-bank considerations."
The resolution further plans a nationwide campaign to educate the younger generation on the full six-stanza song and its history, including the objections raised by the Muslim League and subsequent communal and separatist demands that led to the truncation. The BJP also announced the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' from September 17 to October 17, commemorating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years of public life.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the office-bearers meeting and posted on X that organizational meetings are about new ideas aimed at strengthening the party. He also posed for a group photograph with newly appointed national office-bearers.
Congress Defends Longstanding Practice
Congress leaders defended the two-stanza practice as a longstanding tradition. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor clarified that the party has been playing one stanza of the national anthem and two verses of Vande Mataram at party functions since 1937. He said, "If there is a national or government function, we will all stand up for the entire thing. It depends on what is being played. But in our party, our position is that since 1937, we've been playing only one stanza of the national anthem and two verses of Vande Mataram."
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said he sang the same version as Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and challenged, "If that is the crime, then file a case against Gandhiji, Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel." He accused the BJP of indulging in "politics of polarisation" and asked why Prime Minister Modi waited 11-12 years in office before acting on the issue.
Congress MP KC Venugopal said the party would adhere to the decisions taken by Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel in 1937. Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that the government is using nationalism to hide its failures and divert attention, stating, "Congress never opposed Vande Mataram."
The CWC's decision followed days of controversy after the BJP accused Kharge and Sonia Gandhi of conversing during the national song at Congress headquarters on August 15 Independence Day celebrations. Congress claimed the entire song was sung and that Sonia Gandhi was merely asking for a chair for Kharge. BJP leader Sambit Patra alleged that Sonia Gandhi signalled to stop after two stanzas, an accusation contested by Congress.
Opposition Reactions and Political Context
Several political figures weighed in on the dispute. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the BJP's focus on the issue, saying, "I wish there had been condemnation regarding the use of pellet guns on children and the brandishing of AK-47s in Bihar; I wish there had been concern about why the country's youth are standing on the brink of unemployment." Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit questioned why Vande Mataram was not sung at RSS shakhas.
JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan said the Congress should have raised objections in Parliament instead of boycotting proceedings, noting that the issue is now the law of the country. Union Minister Giriraj Singh alleged that Vande Mataram was altered in 1937 for votes under pressure from Jinnah, while Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said Congress is insulting the song. Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan accused the BJP of politicising patriotism, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP and RSS for trying to bring "communal hatred."
Legislative Changes and Legal Status
The dispute occurs against the backdrop of new legislation. In 2026, the Centre made rendition of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram mandatory, replacing the decades-old practice of singing the first two stanzas adopted as the national song in 1950. Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Monsoon session, giving the national song the same legal protection as the national anthem. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 29 and the Lok Sabha on July 30, with presidential assent on August 11. Under the amendment, intentionally stopping or disrupting the song is a criminal offence, with penalties of up to three years in prison or a fine for a first offence and a minimum one-year jail term for subsequent convictions.
BJP President Nitin Nabin said the British sought to suppress Vande Mataram because its words awakened resistance, and the song's legacy cannot be reduced to vote-bank politics. He wrote on X that the party passed an important resolution on August 22, 2026, regarding respect for the song's historical legacy, adding that it would continue to resonate in the vision of a developed India by 2047.
How each outlet told it
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Framing: The headline frames the BJP's demand for the Congress to reveal the history behind its decision to curtail Vande Mataram, implying a political challenge. — The tone is assertive and partisan, strongly criticizing the Congress while praising the BJP's stance.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed the BJP over its resolution condemning the Congress Working Committee's decision on 'Vande Mataram'
Chaturvedi said, "I wish there had been condemnation regarding the use of pellet guns on children and the brandishing of AK-47s in Bihar; I wish there had been concern about why the country's youth are standing on the brink of unemployment."
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit questioned the BJP's position on 'Vande Mataram' and asked why the song was not sung at RSS shakhas
The BJP passed a resolution on the "honour and historic legacy" of 'Vande Mataram' and announced a nationwide campaign
PM Modi arrived at the BJP headquarters in Delhi on Saturday evening following the party's resolution
The BJP strongly condemned the Congress Working Committee's decision to re-adopt its 1937 resolution restricting the singing of 'Vande Mataram' to its first two stanzas
Congress MP KC Venugopal had said the party's position was clear and that it would follow the decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937
Framing: Headline pits BJP and Congress against each other, framing the 'Vande Mataram' dispute as a conflict while emphasizing Congress's accusation that BJP is using nationalism to hide 'failures'. — balanced but adversarial
Facts Included:
At its National Office Bearers meeting on Saturday, the BJP passed a resolution condemning the Congress Working Committee's decision to sing only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram'.
The party also announced the nationwide 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' from September 17 to commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years of public life.
BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde shared details of the first National Office Bearers meeting after the formation of the party's new team under BJP president Nitin Nabin.
'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' will be conducted across the country from September 17 to October 17.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the BJP's organisational meeting and interacted with members of the party.
PM Modi said in a post on X: 'Organisational meetings are all about new ideas and perspectives aimed at strengthening the Party and deepening connect with the people. Great interaction with fellow Party colleagues and the new organisational team!'
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the BJP had passed the resolution under the leadership of Nitin Nabin to uphold the 'honour, dignity and complete legacy' of the National Song.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJP was calling those who did not sing 'Vande Mataram' traitors, while accusing the BJP of having remained on the side of British rule during the freedom struggle.
Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that the government was using nationalism to divert attention from other issues.
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan accused the BJP of politicising 'patriotism' and Vande Mataram.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the BJP's focus on the National Song, saying the party should instead address issues concerning unemployment, inflation and other challenges.
Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale backed the BJP's position and said 'Vande Mataram' had played an important role during the freedom struggle.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh alleged that 'Vande Mataram' was altered in 1937 for political considerations.
Framing: Emphasizes the condemnation of Congress's objection to Vande Mataram by a JDU leader.
Facts Included:
Janata Dal (United) leader Rajiv Ranjan criticised Congress over its resolution to sing only the first two stanzas at party events.
Ranjan said that the issue could have been discussed in Parliament.
Ranjan said, 'Today, Congress has an objection to Vande Mataram, and this is beyond comprehension.'
Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday passed a major resolution on the honour and historic legacy of 'Vande Mataram'.
The BJP strongly condemned the Congress Working Committee's decision taken on August 19 to re-adopt its 1937 resolution.
Congress Working Committee decided on Wednesday that only the first two stanzas of the national song would be sung at party events.
The decision followed days of controversy after the BJP accused Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party parliamentary chairperson Sonia Gandhi of conversing during Independence Day celebrations on August 15.
Congress MP KC Venugopal said the party's stand was clear and that it would follow the decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937.
Assam Pradesh party spokesperson Brajen Mahanta said that the BJP has strongly condemned the decision of the Congress Working Committee to limit the singing of Vande Mataram to only its first two stanzas at Congress programmes.
According to historical records, Vande Mataram was sung for the first time at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in 1896.
The session was presided over by the prominent Muslim leader Rahimtulla M Sayani.
Historical records also indicate that Vande Mataram was sung at the 1923 Congress session presided over by Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar, despite objections being raised.
He further noted that on January 24, 1950, Constituent Assembly President Rajendra Prasad declared that Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana would be accorded equal honour.
Mahanta said that the same Vande Mataram which resonated as a clarion call for freedom in 1947 will continue to inspire the younger generation in the journey towards building a strong, prosperous, self-reliant and developed India.
He added that, in harmony with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the timeless spirit of Vande Mataram will continue to motivate future generations.
Framing: The headline leads with Patole's denial that Congress opposed Vande Mataram and frames the BJP's nationalism as a cover for failures. — neutral reporting of partisan accusations
Facts Included:
Senior Congress leader Nana Patole criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in centre for its attempt to deflect public attention from pressing issues.
Patole said: "The government is using nationalism to hide its failures. They are also trying to divert attention from other issues. Congress never opposed Vande Mataram. They are doing unnecessary politics."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi landed in Pune yesterday to spearhead the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' youth initiative.
Party leader Balasaheb Thorat said that the ruling faction is attempting to shift focus away from key governance concerns.
Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday said the "Chhatro Ki Goonj" programme had reached Delhi and claimed that "panic" was visible in the national capital.
The campaign has previously been held in Kota, Dehradun, and Prayagraj.
During the National Office Bearers meeting, the BJP passed a resolution condemning the Congress Working Committee's decision to sing only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram'.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the BJP had passed the resolution under the leadership of Nitin Nabin to uphold the "honour, dignity and complete legacy" of the National Song.
Rijiju said: "The resolution strongly condemns the Congress Working Committee's decision to reaffirm its 1937 resolution restricting Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at Congress programmes."
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of calling those who did not sing 'Vande Mataram' traitors and of having remained on the side of British rule during the freedom struggle.
Kharge said: "They claim that anyone who doesn't sing 'Vande Mataram' is a traitor. They are the ones who are actually traitors; after all, they wanted to remain slaves to the British, whereas we were the ones who liberated them from that servitude."
The BJP said it would oppose the Congress decision and protect the honour, dignity and legacy of the full six-stanza version of 'Vande Mataram'.
The BJP announced a nationwide awareness campaign, including a special drive among the youth.
The Congress Working Committee had earlier decided that only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' would be sung at party events, citing its 1937 resolution.
Congress MP KC Venugopal had said the party's position was clear and that it would follow the decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937.
Framing: BJP resolution condemns Congress decision on Vande Mataram, emphasizes no compromise on national song's honour.
Facts Included:
The BJP condemned the Congress for its decision to sing just two stanzas of Vande Mataram.
The BJP passed a 10-point resolution at its office-bearers' meeting in New Delhi.
The resolution vowed to launch a nationwide campaign to spread the significance of Vande Mataram.
The BJP said a political compromise of 1937 cannot be elevated above the constitutional settlement of 1950 and legislation enacted by Parliament in 2026.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) decided on Wednesday to abide by its 1937 resolution, singing only two stanzas at all party events.
BJP president Nitin Nabin shared the resolution on X and made statements.
Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, on July 30, granting Vande Mataram the same legal status as the national anthem.
Under the amended law, disrupting or preventing the singing of Vande Mataram is a criminal offence punishable with up to 3 years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The BJP resolution noted historical irony that the British sought to suppress Vande Mataram, but the Congress restricted it to two stanzas.
Framing: Highlights BJP's resolution as a political attack on Congress, framing it as 'vote-bank politics' and referencing '6 stanzas'.
Framing: Headline presents the BJP's resolution as a comprehensive 10-point stance, emphasizing the party's opposition to 'vote bank' politics and invoking Mahatma Gandhi's description of Vande Mataram as an 'anti-imperialist cry'.
Facts Included:
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday passed a 10-point resolution opposing the Congress Working Committee's decision to reaffirm its 1937 resolution restricting the singing of Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at party programmes.
The party resolved to highlight Mahatma Gandhi’s description of Vande Mataram as an “anti-imperialist cry” linked to the “purest national spirit”.
The resolution condemns the Congress Working Committee’s decision of 19th August 2026.
The resolution cites the Constituent Assembly’s 1950 pronouncement and Parliament’s 2026 amendment.
The resolution includes a point to expose the historical and political context, including objections raised by the Muslim League.
The resolution includes a point to undertake a nationwide campaign through BJP Karyakartas.
Framing: Tharoor's clarification on Vande Mataram row, emphasizing party's stance
Facts Included:
MP Shashi Tharoor clarified the party's position saying it has been playing one stanza of the national anthem and two verses of Vande Mataram since 1937.
Tharoor was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
BJP passed a 10-point resolution on the honour and historic legacy of Vande Mataram.
The party said it will lead a nationwide campaign to raise awareness around the history and significance of the national song.
The BJP condemned the Congress Working Committee's decision taken on August 19 to re-adopt its 1937 resolution that restricts the singing of Vande Mataram to only its first two stanzas at Congress programmes.
The BJP resolution said it will uphold the honour of the complete Vande Mataram as the National Song of Bharat.
The CWC earlier decided to abide by its 1937 resolution on Vande Mataram and sing only two stanzas of the National Song, instead of its full rendition, at all party events.
The BJP on Saturday passed a resolution to honour the legacy of Vande Mataram.
The resolution says the BJP would not allow the national song to be compromised for appeasement politics.
The resolution hit out at the Congress for reaffirming its 1937 decision to sing an abridged version of the song.
The BJP will undertake a nationwide campaign to spread the history, meaning and national significance of Vande Mataram.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of indulging in 'politics of polarisation'.
The resolution says the BJP resolved to 'uphold the honour, dignity, legacy and national status of the complete Vande Mataram as the National Song of Bharat'.
The resolution says the legacy cannot be 'reduced to the calculations of contemporary vote-bank politics'.
The Congress Working Committee decided on 19 August 2026 to reaffirm its 1937 resolution.
The resolution plans to 'expose before the people of Bharat the historical and political context in which the truncation of Vande Mataram took place'.
The Centre made rendition of all six stanzas mandatory earlier this year.
Parliament cleared the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Monsoon session.
BJP president Nitin Nabin said, 'The British sought to suppress [Vande Mataram's words] because they awakened resistance.'
Kharge mentioned Nehru, Gandhi, Bose, and Patel decided to reduce the song to two stanzas in 1937.
Kharge said the Congress has been following the version for 90 years.
The resolution says it would disseminate Mahatma Gandhi's testimony that Vande Mataram had become an 'anti-imperialist cry'.
The party urged citizens to remember that the words 'Vande Mataram' were once 'powerful enough to frighten an empire'.
Framing: The headline emphasizes Modi's meeting with the BJP team and the party's criticism of the Congress over the Vande Mataram resolution. — The tone is neutral and factual, reporting the BJP's statements and positions without overt editorializing.
Facts Included:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday joined the BJP’s newly appointed national office-bearers for a group photograph at the party headquarters in New Delhi
the party adopted a resolution highlighting the honour and historical legacy of ‘Vande Mataram’
the BJP slammed the Congress Working Committee (CWC) for re-adopting its 1937 decision to limit the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ at party programmes to its first two stanzas
The BJP said it regards 'Vande Mataram' as India's National Song, an expression of reverence for Bharat Mata, a mantra of the freedom struggle and an enduring symbol of India's national consciousness
The party stated it would strongly oppose the Congress decision to limit the National Song to two stanzas and would protect the honour, dignity and legacy of its full six-stanza version
The BJP also said it would reaffirm the 1950 Constituent Assembly declaration and the law passed by Parliament in 2026 granting statutory protection to the National Song at par with 'Jana Gana Mana'
Congress MP KC Venugopal said the party’s stance remained unchanged and that it would adhere to the decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937
Framing: Uses Tharoor's defiant quote to headline the intensifying row and the Congress's position
Facts Included:
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said the party would continue with its established practice of singing two verses of Vande Mataram at Congress functions
Tharoor said the party's approach dates back to a 1937 resolution
Tharoor was quoted as saying by news agency ANI
The BJP adopted a 10-point resolution on the historical legacy and status of Vande Mataram
The BJP invoked Mahatma Gandhi's description of Vande Mataram as an “anti-imperialist cry” associated with the “purest national spirit”
The BJP criticised the Congress Working Committee's August 19 decision to reaffirm its 1937 resolution limiting the rendition of Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas
The party said the National Song's legacy could not be “reduced to the calculations of contemporary vote-bank politics.”
The BJP resolution described Vande Mataram as the National Song of Bharat, an expression of reverence for Bharat Mata, a mantra of the freedom struggle and a lasting symbol of India's national consciousness
The resolution called to affirm the constitutional and statutory status of Vande Mataram as established by the Constituent Assembly’s 1950 pronouncement and reinforced by Parliament’s 2026 amendment
The Congress had earlier defended its decision through the CWC's reaffirmation of its 1937 position
The Congress resolution argued that the historical circumstances surrounding the decision needed to be understood in the context of objections raised by the Muslim League and subsequent communal and separatist politics
Framing: Highlights the flaws in BJP's Vande Mataram politics — critical and sarcastic
Facts Included:
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan did away with the national song at the official flag-hoisting ceremony on Independence Day.
DK Shivakumar, Revanth Reddy and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in three other Congress-ruled states chose to comply with Amit Shah-led Home Ministry’s order to sing all six stanzas of Vande Mataram.
At the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, as the singing went beyond the second stanza, there were red faces all around.
Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were visibly dismayed.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) later decided to stick to the original two-stanza Vande Mataram.
The BJP accused the Opposition party of minority appeasement because there are references to Hindu goddesses—Durga, Kamala (Lakshmi) and Vanee (Saraswati)—in the fifth stanza.
On Saturday, when newly appointed office-bearers met at the BJP headquarters, cameras were in place for the six-stanza national song.
One headline: “Rashtrapati Bhawan announces, retracts Rahman visit statement.”
A Hindi paper headline: “Skyrocketing sugar price before festivals: selling at Rs. 70 per kg, an increase of Rs.17 in one month.”
Another headline: “Rahul sat on dharna at the police station for seven hours, only then FIR of youth injured with 200 pellets registered.”
Business page headline: “Inflation reaches from travel to kitchen: rice, biscuit, car, tyre, paint costlier by 18 per cent.”
Another front page headline: “Reality of recruitments in the Central government: vacancies in the last one decade go from 4.2 lakhs to 8.24 lakhs.”
It was Sardar Patel who seconded the resolution on the two-stanza song at the 1937 CWC meeting.
Modi sang the same two-stanza song on every Independence Day for 24 years—first as Gujarat CM and then the Prime Minister—happily.
The Home Ministry’s February order also said, “In all schools, the day’s work may begin with community singing of the National Song. School authorities should make adequate provision in their programmes for popularising the singing of the National Song….”
Framing: Highlights the Congress decision to sing only first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, tying it to a 1937 resolution. — Neutral and factual, with a slight emphasis on the political dispute.
Facts Included:
The Congress Working Committee decided to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events, adhering to a 1937 party resolution.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge defended this practice, stating it aligns with the version sung by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
A recent amendment grants Vande Mataram legal protection similar to the national anthem, introducing penalties for disrespect.
In 1937, Congress adopted the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 as the national song and omitted the remaining four stanzas over religious references.
This comes a day after Kharge pointed out that he sang the same version of Vande Mataram that was sung by Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, and former PMs Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
'If that is the crime, then file a case against Gandhiji, Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel,' he said. 'The BJP does not know that before they were born, the Congress had passed the resolution to decide about the national song and the national anthem. I did what has been happening for the last 80 years.'
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 29 and the Lok Sabha on July 30, granting Vande Mataram the same legal and statutory protection as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the bill on August 11.
Penalties include up to three years in prison, a fine or both for a first offence and a minimum of 1-year jail term for subsequent convictions.
Framing: Headline emphasizes Rahul Gandhi's attack on BJP, using provocative language 'Licking Boots Of British' and 'Scathing Attack'. — Combative and confrontational
Facts Included:
The BJP on Saturday passed a resolution condemning the Congress’ decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram.
The BJP said it will not accept any compromise on the honour of the national song for political convenience or appeasement.
The saffron party has decided to launch a campaign to spread the glorious heritage of Vande Mataram across the country.
BJP president Nitin Nabin presided over the meeting.
Nitin Nabin wrote in a post on X that the BJP passed an important resolution regarding the respect for Vande Mataram and the protection of its historical legacy.
Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of fostering communal hatred and attempting to rewrite history.
Rahul Gandhi said, "it is a debate between illiterates and anti national elements. Because BJP, RSS want to bring communal hatred differences, and communal division in the society is a lifeline."
Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of destroying history and claimed that the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram have been sung for hundred years, and are known by all.
Rahul Gandhi said that the people advocating for the whole stanzas of the song to be sung, were "licking the boots of Britishers."
Rahul Gandhi added, "against British freedom struggle, that song was sung by freedom fighters all over the country. RSS' intention is to communalise the Indian psyche."
Framing: The headline emphasizes the Congress party's stance on singing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, highlighting their decision as a deliberate act.
Facts Included:
The Congress Working Committee reaffirmed its decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram during internal events.
The decision adheres to a resolution from 1937.
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed this Monsoon session, gives Vande Mataram the same legal protection as the national anthem.
The bill was passed by Parliament in July and signed into law.
The controversy arose after a video from Congress HQ showed Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi conversing while the national song was being rendered during Independence Day celebrations on August 15.
The BJP alleged that the two leaders attempted to halt the rendition of the national song midway.
Kharge responded by saying, 'I sang the same 'Vande Mataram' that Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru sang. If this is a crime, then file a case against Gandhi ji...'
Framing: emphasizes the partisan exchange between Congress and BJP over Vande Mataram — neutral reporting of a political dispute
Framing: Emphasizes Sanjay Raut's daring challenge to PM Modi and Amit Shah to sing the full Vande Mataram without a teleprompter, framing it as a provocative taunt. — Measured, reporting the controversy with a mix of direct quotes and contextual background.
Facts Included:
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah amid the ongoing controversy over the recitation of the national song 'Vande Mataram', challenging them to come forward and sing its full version without using a teleprompter.
Addressing a press conference, Raut also criticised the Centre over inflation and the economic difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, questioning what had become cheaper during PM Modi's 12 years in office.
Raut said, 'In these 12 years, what has become cheaper? It has been 12 years under Modi ji. What has become cheaper? Death has become cheap. Accidents have become cheap. Suicides have become cheap. Nothing else has. Regarding sugarcane used for making sugar, the entire supply is now being diverted towards ethanol production.'
Raut also urged the government to engage directly with families rather than limiting its interaction with young people to universities.
The BJP recently passed a resolution condemning the CWC's August 19 decision to re-adopt its 1937 resolution on the recitation of 'Vande Mataram'.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the BJP had passed the resolution under the leadership of national president Nitin Nabin to uphold the 'honour, dignity and complete legacy' of the national song.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of branding those who do not sing 'Vande Mataram' as traitors and criticised the BJP's position on the freedom struggle.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also said the government should focus on unemployment, inflation and other issues affecting citizens.
Congress leader Rakesh Sinha criticised the BJP's resolution, saying it was contrary to the legacy of national leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Rabindranath Tagore.
Union minister Ramdas Athawale said 'Vande Mataram' played an important role in India's freedom struggle, while Union minister Giriraj Singh alleged that the song was altered in 1937 for political considerations.
The Congress Working Committee had earlier decided that only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' would be sung at party events, citing its 1937 resolution.
Framing: Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, BJP to start nationwide Vande campaign — combative and partisan
Facts Included:
BJP cited Mahatma Gandhi's 'we have fallen on evil days' lament over the opposition built up against Vande Mataram Saturday
The campaign was approved at a meet of new office-bearers Saturday
The campaign, approved at a meeting of the new office-bearers under party chief Nitin Nabin, will focus on the song's association with freedom struggle
The meeting adopted a four-page resolution, accusing Congress of 'bowing before the same politics of appeasement'
BJP's decision to launch the 10-point campaign comes after Congress asserted that it will stick to its 1937 resolution
PM Modi visited party headquarters to interact with the new team
BJP marshalled comments of stalwarts like Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari to hit back at its rivals
Gandhi's 1939 comments: 'I associated the purest national spirit with it (Vande Mataram). It never occurred to me that it was a Hindu song or meant only for Hindus. Unfortunately, now we have fallen on evil days.'
Nabin accused Congress of sowing the same seeds of division that it did in 1937 by adopting a truncated version under the Muslim League's pressure
Month-long campaign for PM Modi's birthday
Several youth-centric programmes will be part of BJP's month-long campaign from Modi's birthday on Sept 17
He will also be completing 25 years as head of a govt
Framing: Headline frames BJP's action as a strong stand against Congress, using the phrase 'no compromise' to emphasize resolve. — Combative and accusatory, with quotes from BJP leaders using charged language like 'anti-national' and 'appeasement'.
Facts Included:
BJP on Saturday condemned the Congress' decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party programmes
The party passed a 10-point resolution asserting that it would protect the honour, national character and prestige associated with the complete version of Vande Mataram
The resolution read: "No compromise on honour, legacy of Vande Mataram will be accepted for political convenience or appeasement."
The resolution "resolved to strongly condemn and unequivocally oppose the Congress Working Committee’s decision of 19th August 2026 to reaffirm its 1937 resolution and restrict Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at Congress programmes."
The BJP resolved "to recall and disseminate Mahatma Gandhi’s own testimony that Vande Mataram had become an “anti-imperialist cry” and that he associated it with “the purest national spirit”".
The BJP said it would launch a nationwide campaign to highlight the history, meaning and significance of the national song
BJP leader Sambit Patra held a press conference, saying "This is the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. On August 15, 2026, the complete Vande Mataram, which has six stanzas, was sung from the Red Fort. But on August 15, an indecent act took place at the Congress office. In the presence of Congress MP Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, when the Tricolour was being hoisted, Sonia Gandhi signalled to stop Vande Mataram after two stanzas."
Patra added: "On August 19, a proposal came in at the CWC meeting stating that we will sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram. We all know why this decision was taken in 1937."
Union home minister Amit Shah had attacked the Congress Working Committee’s resolution, calling the decision “anti-national” and accusing the party of reviving its decades-old “politics of appeasement”.
Congress and BJP leaders in Dakshina Kannada traded barbs over the Vande Mataram controversy
District Congress Committee president Harish Kumar said the Congress had sung Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's Vande Mataram with respect since the freedom struggle and continues to do so at party sessions, programmes and offices
Kumar challenged the RSS and BJP to clarify their own position on Vande Mataram before lecturing the Congress
Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath hit back, saying the Congress decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram and oppose a parliamentary law for 'appeasement politics' reflected its 'anti-national mindset and intellectual bankruptcy'
Kamath also accused the Congress of having censored Vande Mataram before Independence for appeasement and said it was condemnable that the party was again challenging 'the law and sovereignty of the country' despite the Narendra Modi-led govt's efforts to correct historical mistakes
Framing: The headline emphasizes a warning or assertion by the BJP chief about changing the mindset of those who insult Vande Mataram. — ceremonial and declaratory
Framing: The headline emphasizes Srinivasan's assertion that attempts to dilute the glory of 'Vande Mataram' will not succeed. — The tone is neutral and reportorial, presenting Srinivasan's statements and the party's resolution without evaluative language.
Facts Included:
BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan said on Sunday (August 23, 2026) that attempts to dilute the glory of the national song 'Vande Mataram' for political appeasement can never succeed.
Srinivasan said, 'Vande Mataram is not a song, it is an emotion, a symbol of India’s freedom struggle and an eternal expression of our national pride.'
Srinivasan said the BJP stands firmly committed to restoring the honour and complete spirit of Vande Mataram, which inspired generations of Indians in the struggle for freedom.
Srinivasan said the nation will always remember the sacrifice, courage and spirit embodied in those immortal words, in a social media post.
Her comments were made a day after her BJP party, led by its national leadership, adopted a resolution regarding the 'honour and protection of the historical legacy of Vande Mataram.'
BJP president Nitin Nabin on Monday (August 24, 2026) said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership was taking forward Sant Ravidas’s ideals of social harmony, equality and selfless service, with development reaching the poorest of the poor.
He was speaking at the party’s Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan (Social Harmony Pledge Campaign) event, organised to mark the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Ravidas.
Mr. Nabin said that under the Modi government, development schemes were being delivered to the poor and the last person in society. About 25 crore people had been brought out of poverty, he said.
He said the BJP’s resolve was to unite every section of society and realise the goal of a Viksit Bharat (developed nation) by 2047.
Among those present were Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, BJP State president and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, national vice-president and programme coordinator Lal Singh Arya, Scheduled Caste Morcha national president Shivesh Kumar Ram, and senior party leader Dushyant Gautam.
Mr. Nabin said Sant Ravidas’s ideas and struggle helped preserve Indian society and Sanatan traditions during periods of foreign invasion and attempted conversions.
Referring to Vande Mataram as a symbol of India’s freedom struggle, he criticised those who “promoted a divisive mindset”.
AI-extracted; can misattribute a claim — see Methodology.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe BJP on Saturday passed a 10-point resolution opposing the Congress Working Committee's decision to reaffirm its 1937 resolution restricting Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at party programmes.
ClaimThe BJP resolution affirms the Constituent Assembly's 1950 pronouncement and Parliament's 2026 amendment extending statutory protection to Vande Mataram equivalent to the National Anthem.
ClaimThe BJP plans a nationwide campaign through karyakartas and education of the younger generation on the complete six-stanza Vande Mataram and its history.
ClaimThe BJP resolution includes exposing the historical context of the truncation of Vande Mataram, including objections raised by the Muslim League and subsequent communal and separatist demands.
ClaimThe BJP resolution states that a CWC resolution cannot override constitutional institutions or laws and that a 1937 political compromise cannot be elevated above the 1950 constitutional settlement and 2026 parliamentary legislation.
ClaimThe BJP regards Vande Mataram as India's National Song, an expression of reverence for Bharat Mata, a mantra of the freedom struggle and a symbol of India's national consciousness.
ClaimShiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed the BJP resolution and urged focus on unemployment, inflation and youth concerns instead of the Vande Mataram issue.
ClaimPriyanka Chaturvedi said she wished there had been condemnation regarding pellet guns on children and brandishing of AK-47s in Bihar, and concern about youth unemployment.
ClaimCongress MP KC Venugopal said Congress would follow the decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937 on Vande Mataram.
ClaimThe BJP announced the nationwide Seva Sankalp Abhiyan from September 17 to October 17 to commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years of public life.
ClaimBJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde briefed media on the first National Office Bearers meeting under president Nitin Nabin and on Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
ClaimPM Modi posted on X that organisational meetings are about new ideas aimed at strengthening the party and that he had a great interaction with colleagues and the new organisational team.
ClaimUnion Minister Kiren Rijiju said the BJP resolution under Nitin Nabin upholds the honour, dignity and complete legacy of Vande Mataram and condemns the CWC reaffirmation of the 1937 two-stanza limit.
ClaimCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJP calls non-singers of Vande Mataram traitors, while accusing the BJP side of wanting to remain British slaves and stating Congress brought independence.
ClaimCongress leader Nana Patole said the government is using nationalism to hide its failures and divert attention, and that Congress never opposed Vande Mataram.
ClaimCongress MP Ranjeet Ranjan said the public is tired of inflation and unemployment and accused the BJP of politicising patriotism and Vande Mataram.
ClaimUnion Minister Giriraj Singh alleged Vande Mataram was altered in 1937 for votes under pressure from Jinnah and said there should be six stanzas because India's identity cannot exist without Sanatan.
ClaimCongress MP Shashi Tharoor said Congress will continue singing two verses of Vande Mataram at party functions per 1937 practice, and at national or government functions will stand for the entire song depending on what is played.
ClaimShashi Tharoor said that since 1937 Congress has played only one stanza of the national anthem and two verses of Vande Mataram at party functions.
ClaimThe Centre earlier in 2026 made rendition of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram mandatory, replacing the decades-old practice of singing the first two stanzas adopted as the national song in 1950.
ClaimIn the Monsoon session, Parliament cleared the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making obstruction or insult to the national song a criminal offence with up to three years' jail and a fine.
ClaimBJP president Nitin Nabin said the British sought to suppress Vande Mataram because the words awakened resistance and that the legacy cannot be reduced to contemporary vote-bank politics.
ClaimMallikarjun Kharge said Nehru, Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose and Vallabhbhai Patel together decided in 1937 to reduce Vande Mataram from six to two stanzas and that the practice has been followed for about 90 years.
ClaimJD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan criticised Congress's two-stanza resolution and said objections should have been raised in Parliament instead of boycotting proceedings, noting it is now the law of the country.
ClaimControversy followed BJP accusations that Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi conversed during the national song at Congress HQ Independence Day celebrations on August 15, with BJP demanding an apology.
ClaimIn 1937, Congress adopted the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1875) and omitted the remaining four stanzas over religious references.
ClaimMallikarjun Kharge said he sang the same version of Vande Mataram as Gandhi, Patel, Nehru and Vajpayee and said if that is a crime, file a case against them; the practice has continued for about 80 years.
ClaimCongress claimed the entire national song was sung at party headquarters on August 15 and that Sonia Gandhi was merely asking for a chair for Kharge.
ClaimThe Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 29 and the Lok Sabha on July 30, and President Droupadi Murmu gave assent on August 11.
ClaimUnder the 2026 amendment, penalties include up to three years in prison, a fine or both for a first offence and a minimum one-year jail term for subsequent convictions.
ClaimBJP leader Sambit Patra said on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram the complete six stanzas were sung from the Red Fort on August 15, 2026, and alleged Sonia Gandhi signalled to stop after two stanzas at the Congress office with Rahul Gandhi present.
ClaimCongress leader Balasaheb Thorat said BJP is trying to divert attention from issues as Rahul Gandhi landed in Pune for the Chhatron Ki Goonj initiative.
ClaimRahul Gandhi attacked BJP and RSS for trying to bring communal hatred, calling the debate one between illiterates and anti-national elements and saying communal division is a lifeline for BJP/RSS.
ClaimRahul Gandhi claimed the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram have been sung for a hundred years and are known by all, and said advocates of the whole stanzas were licking the boots of the British while freedom fighters sang the song against the British.
ClaimBJP president Nitin Nabin wrote on X that on August 22, 2026 the BJP passed an important resolution regarding respect for Vande Mataram and protection of its historical legacy.
ClaimThe BJP resolution noted historical irony that the British suppressed Vande Mataram for awakening resistance while Congress later restricted it to two of six stanzas in the name of communal appeasement.
8 distinct · 10 mastheads · 21 articles consulted: ANI (Asian News International), Daily Excelsior, Hindustan Times, Livemint, Moneycontrol, ThePrint, THE WEEK, Times Now, The Times of India, The Hindu — World50 claims extractedVersion 4Written 2026-08-23