New Delhi, 22 August (H.S.): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday passed a resolution asserting that there would be no compromise on the honour, dignity and historical legacy of Vande Mataram for political convenience or electoral considerations.

The resolution was adopted at a meeting of the party’s newly appointed office-bearers in New Delhi, chaired by BJP president Nitin Nabin. The party also announced a nationwide campaign to highlight the history, significance and legacy of the national song and take its message to people across the country.

The BJP strongly criticised the Congress Working Committee’s August 19 decision to reaffirm its 1937 resolution concerning the singing of Vande Mataram at party programmes. According to the BJP, the Congress decision limits the rendition of the song to its first two stanzas at its official events.

The ruling party said it would oppose any effort to subject Vande Mataram to what it described as communal pressure, political appeasement or vote-bank considerations. Nabin said the BJP would work to safeguard the honour, dignity, heritage and national character associated with the complete version of Vande Mataram.

As part of the proposed campaign, the BJP plans to disseminate information about the song’s history, meaning and role in India’s national movement. The party also intends to highlight Mahatma Gandhi’s description of Vande Mataram as an “anti-imperialist slogan” reflecting strong national sentiment.

The resolution also called for a special awareness campaign aimed at younger generations. The BJP said the initiative would seek to ensure that the complete national song, comprising six stanzas, as well as its historical context, is not forgotten.

According to the party, the campaign will focus on helping young Indians understand the association of Vande Mataram with the freedom movement and the memories of India’s struggle for independence.

Nabin said the BJP would continue to defend what it described as the full historical and national significance of Vande Mataram and would not accept any dilution of its honour for political reasons.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar