Vande Mataram Row: Why Is A 90-Year-Old Debate Back?

Vande Mataram is once again at the centre of a sharp political battle between the BJP and Congress. The dispute centres on whether all six stanzas of the national song should be rendered officially, or whether the long-standing practice of singing only the first two should continue. The Congress has defended the 1937 decision, arguing that it reflected an effort to accommodate different religious and political sensibilities. The BJP says the old decision should not dictate how Vande Mataram is rendered in 2026 and accuses Congress of appeasement. On NDTV, BJP spokesperson Sanju Verma and political analyst Zainab Sikander debate the history, religious imagery and politics behind the controversy. Activist Mumtaz Patel also explains why she believes the Vande Mataram debate is distracting from issues such as jobs, education, national security and youth concerns.