BJP chief Nabin calls Congress 'New Muslim League' over Vande Mataram decision

BJP president Nitin Nabin on Thursday criticised the Congress for its decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events, saying the opposition party has become the "new Muslim League" in its pursuit of votes. Mr. Nabin's remarks came a day after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolved to adhere to its 1937 decision on the National Song.

In a post on X in Hindi, Mr. Nabin said, "This insult to the sacred invocation of 'Bharat Mata' is a disdain for those thousands of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation, keeping this very song in their consciousness." He added, "The Congress has now formalised its insult (to Vande Mataram) into a resolution. Its working committee has decided that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram will be sung at Congress forums."

The BJP chief further stated, "The Congress has now become the new Muslim League today." He also referred to an incident during the Independence Day event at the Congress office on August 15, where the full version of Vande Mataram was reportedly not sung. Mr. Nabin said the same insult was reflected in an "individual's conduct" a few days ago, but the Congress dismissed it as a "coincidence". "Today, that very insult has become the Congress's policy," he said, adding that this was "proof of the hunger for that vote bank at the altar of which the Congress has repeatedly mortgaged the nation's self-respect."

The CWC's decision, announced on Wednesday, said only two stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung at all party events henceforth, citing the 1937 resolution of the party's highest decision-making body. The 1937 resolution was adopted by the Congress to address concerns raised by some Muslim groups about certain verses in the full song. The song, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, is the country's National Song. The first two stanzas are widely sung at official events and have been a symbol of India's freedom struggle.

The decision has triggered a political row, with the BJP accusing the Congress of appeasing a particular community for electoral gains. The Congress has defended its move, stating that it is respecting a historical resolution that aimed at ensuring communal harmony. Party leaders have pointed out that the 1937 decision was taken by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, and the current resolution only reaffirms it.

Political observers note that the issue is likely to intensify in the coming days, with both parties expected to use it to mobilise support. The Congress has not yet formally responded to Mr. Nabin's latest remarks, but it had earlier described similar allegations as politically motivated.

This is not the first time the Vande Mataram issue has sparked controversy. In 2006, a similar debate arose when former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav said the song was not compulsory in schools, leading to widespread protests. The current dispute, however, comes at a time when both parties are gearing up for assembly elections in several states.