Vande Mataram debate a bid to distract public from real issues, alleges Opposition

The Congress chief said addressing issues that were troubling ordinary citizens would be the “true homage to Bharat Mata”. Opening his speech in the upper House with chants of Vande Mataram, Kharge said it was the Congress that made the national song a symbol of India’s freedom struggle.

“It has been our tradition to begin every party programme with Vande Mataram. Those who never had this habit have started singing it, and I thank them for that,” he said.

Taking a dig at the Treasury Benches, Kharge said, “Congress leaders had gone to jail chanting ‘Bharat Mata ki jai, Mahatma Gandhi ki jai, Vande Mataram’, while your leaders worked for the British.”

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He also accused the ruling party of insulting Jawaharlal Nehru and other stalwarts by questioning the 1937 Congress Working Committee’s decision to adopt only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram as the national song -- a collective decision that included Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Acharya JB Kripalani and Rabindranath Tagore.

“By targeting Nehru over the issue, you have also insulted all these leaders, including Tagore. The Prime Minister and the Home Minister should apologise to the nation,” he said.

As the Chair repeatedly urged him to stick to the subject, Kharge continued accusing the BJP of raising the Vande Mataram issue with the upcoming Bengal elections in mind. “You want to divert attention from unemployment, inflation and the falling rupee. Bharat Mata will get real homage only when Parliament discusses the issues faced by the people,” he said.

Kharge also questioned the government’s foreign policy and handling of China. “Our neighbours are drifting towards Beijing. Even Bangladesh is engaging more with Pakistan. What is the use of a 56-inch chest if you remain silent on China,” he asked.

Recalling past comments by PM Narendra Modi as Gujarat Chief Minister on the rupee’s fall during the UPA years, Kharge quipped, “He had blamed Manmohan Singh for the rupee touching Rs 60. Today, it has fallen to Rs 90. Are you corrupt too?”

Displaying a commemorative stamp issued by Indira Gandhi on the centenary of Vande Mataram, Kharge said the BJP’s “newfound love” for the national song was politically motivated. “This debate is not about patriotism but politics,” he said, ending his speech with a couplet urging the government to respect Vande Mataram in spirit, not merely in slogan.

Senior BJP leader JP Nadda and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan repeatedly intervened, asking Kharge to confine his remarks to the subject.

“We are ready to discuss the economy and foreign affairs, but today’s debate is on Vande Mataram,” Nadda said. The exchanges led to uproar in the House as both leaders continued to speak over each other.