New Delhi, 18 August (H.S.): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, responding to the controversy over the singing of only two stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram at a Congress event in Goa, said that the Congress had decided what the national song would be even before Independence. He said the same version of Vande Mataram had been sung by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Kharge asserted that the national song could not be changed according to the government in power. Speaking to reporters here, he said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, had also sung the same version of Vande Mataram.

“I have also sung the same Vande Mataram. If this is a crime, then file cases against Gandhiji, Nehruji and Sardar Patelji. The country cannot function according to whatever the Prime Minister or Home Minister wants. The national song cannot be changed according to different governments,” Kharge said.

The controversy began after only the opening two stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung at a Congress programme in Goa on Monday, with Kharge present on the stage.

Earlier, a similar controversy had erupted during the rendition of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day. At the time, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi appeared uncomfortable after two stanzas of the national song were played and was seen making hand gestures that were interpreted as an indication to stop the rendition. Rahul Gandhi and Kharge were also seen conferring during the programme.

As the controversy intensified, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said that Sonia Gandhi had actually gestured to arrange a chair for Kharge because of his advanced age and his inability to stand for long periods.

A complaint has since been filed with the Delhi Police against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The complaint alleged that Sonia Gandhi made certain gestures during the rendition that were viewed as objections to the singing. It cited the proposed National Honour Insult Amendment Bill, 2026, which provides for imprisonment of up to three years or a fine for obstructing the singing of the national anthem or national song.

Recently, on the final day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, all six stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung in the Lok Sabha for the first time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi and other Members of Parliament were present on the occasion.

The move came days after President Droupadi Murmu approved legislation intended to provide legal protection to the national song.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar