Raut challenges PM Modi, Amit Shah to sing full Vande Mataram amid row

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to sing the complete version of "Vande Mataram" without a teleprompter, escalating the political controversy over the national song.

Speaking at a press conference, Raut said, "First, ask Modi ji to come forward and sing it in its entirety. Without looking at the teleprompter. Get Amit Shah to come forward and tell him to sing. Then Modi ji will sing, then Amit Shah will sing. Then Jitan Ram Manjhi will sing. Whose name should I take? Come to August Kranti Maidan. We will give you a stage. But there won't be a teleprompter."

He also criticised the government's economic record, questioning what had become cheaper during the 12 years of the Modi government. "Death has become cheap. Accidents have become cheap. Suicides have become cheap. Nothing else has," he said. Raut further claimed that sugarcane intended for sugar production was being diverted towards ethanol.

Urging the government to engage with families directly, he said, "You told your ministers to go to universities and have a 'dialogue' with GenZ. Go to those children's homes, into their kitchens, and have a dialogue with their mothers and fathers."

The remarks came amid a political dispute over the Congress Working Committee's decision to restrict the singing of "Vande Mataram" to its first two stanzas at Congress programmes. The BJP has opposed this decision, calling it an affront to the national song.

The BJP's national executive recently passed a resolution condemning the CWC's August 19 decision to re-adopt its 1937 resolution on the recitation of "Vande Mataram". The party described "Vande Mataram" as an expression of reverence for Bharat Mata, a mantra of the freedom struggle, and an enduring symbol of India's national consciousness.

The BJP also announced a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the history and significance of the song, including a special drive among young people. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the resolution was passed under the leadership of party president to uphold the "honour, dignity and complete legacy" of the national song.

"Vande Mataram, in its complete form, is an immortal symbol of our freedom struggle and Bharat's national consciousness. Its honour and legacy can never be compromised for political convenience or appeasement," Rijiju said.

Congress leaders have accused the BJP of politicising the national song. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the BJP for branding those who do not sing "Vande Mataram" as traitors. Congress leader Nana Patole said the government was using nationalism to divert attention from other issues, while Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan accused the BJP of politicising the matter.

The controversy has reignited a debate over the recitation of "Vande Mataram", which was a rallying cry during India's freedom struggle. Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the song was originally part of the novel Anandamath. The first two stanzas are commonly sung at official events and gatherings.