Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a sharp critique against the Congress party, asserting that the decision to drop key verses from 'Vande Mataram' in 1937 had far-reaching consequences, including sowing the seeds of the country's partition. Speaking at an event commemorating the 150th anniversary of the national song, Modi stated that the truncation of 'Vande Mataram' was an injustice that the current generation needs to understand, as the "divisive mindset" behind it remains a challenge for the country even today.

Modi highlighted that 'Vande Mataram' became the voice of India's freedom struggle, expressing the feelings of every Indian. However, he lamented that in 1937, crucial verses, which he described as "a part of its soul," were severed from the song. The Prime Minister argued that this division of 'Vande Mataram' also led to the division of the country.

The Prime Minister made these comments at an event held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi. During the event, he released a commemorative stamp and coin to mark the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram'. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were also present.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also targeted the Congress on the issue. BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan accused the Congress, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, of "brazenly pandering to its communal agenda" by adopting a truncated version of 'Vande Mataram' in 1937. Kesavan claimed that Nehru deliberately removed stanzas that hailed Goddess Durga to appease communal sentiments. He further alleged that Nehru had written to Subhas Chandra Bose, deeming the hymn unsuitable as a national song.

Countering the BJP's allegations, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the Indian National Congress has been the "proud flagbearer of Vande Mataram". He noted that 'Vande Mataram' was first publicly sung during the 1896 session of the Congress in Calcutta, under the leadership of then Congress President Rahmatullah Sayani, and was sung by Rabindranath Tagore.

The Prime Minister also reflected on the historical context in which 'Vande Mataram' was composed. He noted that Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote the song during a time when India was struggling under British rule and economic exploitation. Modi said that the British sought to justify their rule by portraying India as inferior, but 'Vande Mataram' dismantled this propaganda. He emphasized that the song invoked the vision of a prosperous India, driven by the belief that the nation could revive its golden age.

Modi also referenced "Operation Sindoor," stating that when enemies attacked India's security with terrorism, the world saw that India knows how to take the form of Durga. He said that as the country marks 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', it provides new inspiration and fills the people of the country with new energy and connects people to their history, giving the future new courage.