Echoes Of A Nation: Vande Mataram’s Contested Legacy At 150

Updated: November 08, 2025 16:00

Image Source : The Better India

As India commemorates 150 years of its national song “Vande Mataram,” debates resurface over its truncated version and communal interpretations. Originally penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the song’s edited stanzas and political symbolism continue to stir controversy, with leaders and historians revisiting its role in the freedom movement and Partition-era tensions.

India’s national song “Vande Mataram” marked its 150th anniversary on November 7, 2025, reigniting historical debates over its original composition and political legacy. Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 and later included in his novel “Anandamath,” the song was once a rallying cry for India’s independence but has long been a subject of contention due to its religious undertones and selective adoption.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the inauguration of year-long celebrations at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, criticized the Congress party for allegedly removing key stanzas in 1937, claiming the omission diluted the song’s spirit and contributed to communal divisions that eventually led to Partition.

Key Highlights:
Origins and Composition: “Vande Mataram” was originally a six-stanza Sanskrit poem published in the literary journal Bangadarshan. It was later set to music by Rabindranath Tagore and performed at the 1896 Indian National Congress session in Calcutta.

Truncated Version: Only the first two stanzas were adopted as the national song in 1950 due to concerns over religious references in the remaining verses. Critics argue that this selective adoption undermined the poem’s original intent and emotional depth.

Political Flashpoint: The BJP has accused the Congress of historical distortion, citing Jawaharlal Nehru’s reservations about the song’s communal interpretations. Modi stated that the removal of stanzas “sowed the seeds of Partition,” calling for public awareness of the song’s full legacy.

Cultural Significance: Despite the controversy, “Vande Mataram” remains a powerful symbol of patriotism. It continues to be sung at official events and educational institutions, though its full version is rarely used.

Public Discourse: Historians and cultural commentators are divided. Some view the edits as necessary for secular harmony, while others see them as erasure of nationalist fervor. The anniversary has prompted renewed calls for educational outreach on the song’s origins and meaning.

Sources: The Week, Hindustan Times, India Today, Times Now, Mathrubhumi.