Madurai, August 29: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram criticized the ongoing debate surrounding ‘Vande Mataram’ and the related legislation during a program on Saturday. He described the controversy as unnecessary and politically motivated.
Speaking at an event held during the monsoon session of Parliament, Chidambaram stated that the central government has given undue importance to the National Honor (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2026, which he believes addresses a non-existent issue.
He noted that a total of 12 bills were passed during the monsoon session, including this one.
Chidambaram also questioned the role of the BJP and its ideological affiliates regarding ‘Vande Mataram.’ He pointed out that there is no evidence of the Hindu Mahasabha, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), or Janata Party singing ‘Vande Mataram’ during the freedom movement, despite the existence of numerous documents from that era.
Referring to the history of ‘Vande Mataram,’ he mentioned that the song gained widespread popularity when Rabindranath Tagore sang it, and Subramania Bharati promoted it in South India.
He explained, “The first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ pay homage to the nation, while the remaining four mention Hindu deities. This is why there were disagreements about which part should be officially sung before independence.”
Chidambaram revealed that the Congress Working Committee discussed this matter in the presence of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
He stated that, upon Tagore’s advice, it was unanimously decided that only the first two stanzas should be sung, as they were deemed sufficient.
The Congress leader claimed that very few political activists can sing both approved stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ completely, while even fewer know all the verses of the entire song.
He added that singing all six stanzas would take about three minutes. If combined with the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu and the national anthem during an event, attendees would have to stand for nearly five minutes.
Chidambaram also alleged that the amendment bill was introduced at 1:30 PM and approved in just five minutes, leaving no room for adequate discussion.
He labeled the amendment bill concerning the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 as ‘malicious.’
This amendment proposes to extend the scope of Section 3 of the National Honor (Prevention) Act, 1971 to include ‘Vande Mataram.’ It stipulates penalties for deliberately obstructing the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ or disrupting gatherings where it is sung.
Chidambaram argued that this move creates an unnecessary controversy instead of addressing a significant national issue.
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