Vande Mataram: Congress limits rendition to first two stanzas amid political debate
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has decided to limit the rendition of Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at party programmes, citing a 1937 CWC resolution backed by Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. This decision comes amidst BJP criticism over the National Song's rendition. The full song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and included in his novel Anandamath, contains religious imagery in later stanzas that liken the motherland to Hindu goddesses, which Muslim League had objected to as idolatry. The 1937 resolution aimed to avoid offending religious sentiments, a stance the Congress reaffirms, while the BJP has pushed for the singing of all six stanzas.
Key Points
- The Congress CWC has decided to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events, referencing a 1937 resolution.
- The decision is in response to ongoing political debate and BJP criticism regarding the National Song.
- Later stanzas of Vande Mataram contain religious imagery that likens the motherland to Hindu goddesses, which historically caused objections from the Muslim League.
- Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore supported limiting the rendition to the first two stanzas to avoid offending religious sentiments.
- The debate highlights the historical and political complexities surrounding the National Song's interpretation and use.
Exam Facts
- Vande Mataram was composed in Sanskritised Bengali by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875.
- It was included in his novel Anandamath, which tells the story of the Sanyasi Rebellion.
- The Congress Working Committee passed a resolution on Vande Mataram in October 1937.
- On January 24, 1950, President Rajendra Prasad declared Vande Mataram as the National Song, with equal status to Jana Gana Mana.
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.