Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a discussion in the Lok Sabha today to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram. This debate is expected to add fuel to the growing political and ideological clash between the BJP and the Opposition. Vande Mataram was a powerful slogan during the freedom movement, but its cultural message is also a key part of the BJP’s political identity today.
Why are BJP and Opposition debating over Vande Mataram?
The debate is part of a special Parliament session focused on the history and legacy of Vande Mataram. Tensions rose last month during an event marking the song’s 150th year, when PM Modi said the Congress had “removed important stanzas” from the original version of the song at its 1937 Faizabad meeting. He argued that this choice “planted the seeds of partition” and claimed the party had split the national song and weakened its message of unity. Modi linked this argument to his larger vision of a “Viksit Bharat,” saying that cultural heritage is essential for national progress.
The Congress strongly rejected these claims. Quoting The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi (Vol. 66, p. 46), the party said the 1937 decision was not meant to divide people, but to be sensitive to concerns raised by some communities. The move had been recommended by a Working Committee that included major national leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Subhas Chandra Bose among others. The committee noted that the first two stanzas were already the most commonly sung and widely accepted, while the remaining verses contained religious references that some citizens found uncomfortable. Congress also noted that Rabindranath Tagore had advised this approach, and he himself had sung Vande Mataram at the 1896 Congress session.
The Opposition then accused the Prime Minister of attacking the freedom movement’s legacy instead of addressing current problems like joblessness, inequality, and foreign policy issues. This exchange has set the stage for an even more intense debate in Parliament.
Parliament set for heated debate on Vande Mataram
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have set aside ten hours each for a detailed discussion on Vande Mataram. The debate in the Rajya Sabha is planned for Tuesday, with Home Minister Amit Shah set to lead the BJP’s arguments.
According to party insiders, the BJP plans to highlight several lesser-known aspects of the song’s history, aiming to put the Congress on the defensive over a piece of music deeply tied to India’s freedom struggle.
Parliament Vande Matram Debate Today LIVE:
Parliament Vande Mataram Debate LIVE: Priyanka Gandhi slams BJP – ‘No matter how many elections we lose…’
“You (BJP) are for the elections, we are for the country. No matter how many elections we lose, we will sit here and keep fighting you and your ideology. We will keep fighting for our country. You cannot stop us,” she said.
Parliament Vande Mataram Debate LIVE: Priyanka Gandhi address Lok Sabha – ‘Our PM wants to establish his role…’
#WATCH | During debate in Lok Sabha on 150 years of 'Vande Mataram, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "There are two reasons for the debate on Vande Mataram in the House today. One, elections are coming up in West Bengal. In such a situation, our Prime Minister wants to… pic.twitter.com/jqVFaqLsd7
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2025
Parliament Vande Mataram Debate LIVE: PM attacks Congress on Vande Mataram
PM Narendra Modi said that Jawaharlal Nehru should have opposed Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Vande Mataram. He also claimed that the Indian National Congress “slashed” the song and bowed down to appease Muslim League.
1- Vande Mataram was politically opposed by the Muslim League. He added that Nehru should have opposed Jinnah’s views on the national song.
2- Madam Bhikaji Cama launched a newspaper named Vande Mataram in Europe.
3- Freedom fighters like Khudiram Bose were inspired by Vande Mataram.
4- Mahatma Gandhi saw Vande Mataram as the National Anthem. “Mahatma Gandhi wrote in 1905 that Vande Mataram has become so popular that it has emerged as national anthem.”
5- PM Modi went on to ask, “Why was Vande Mataram betrayed by some people?”
Parliament Vande Mataram Debate LIVE: National song reminds us of Ved Kaal – PM Modi
“When we say Vande Mataram, it reminds us of Ved Kaal, it says this land is my mother, and I am a son of this land,” says PM Modi.
Brits not only banned the song but also punished people for singing Vande Mataram. People used to get beaten for singing the song.
Parliament Vande Mataram Debate LIVE: Vande Mataram @150 years
Now at 150 years, it is a good opportunity to restore the glory of Vande Mataram that won us freedom in 1947: PM Modi.
PM Modi said that Vande Mataram was not just a song but a war cry against British rule. It became a war cry for the unification of Bengal.
Vande Mataram is a modern version of what Lord Ram said about Bharat.
He also said that Bankim da wrote Vande Mataram at a time when it had become fashionable to look down upon India.
Parliament Vande Mataram Debate LIVE: ‘Vande Mataram not just a mantra’: PM
PM Modi said that Vande Mataram is not just a mantra. He added that it was a response to Long Live Queen.
PM Modi said that the song inspired our freedom fighters. He added that the debate will inspire future generations.
He also said that India was under foreign rule when the song completed 50 years, and that it fought the Emergency when it completed 100 years.
Parliament Vande Matram Debate LIVE: PM Modi opens debate in Lok Sabha
PM Modi has opened debate in Lok Sabha on Vande Mataram.
Parliament Vande Matram Debate LIVE: PM Modi in Parliament
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in the Parliament as the Lok Sabha is all set for a debate on Vande Mataram. He is set to initiate the debate shortly.
Parliament Vande Matram Debate LIVE: Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam expresses happiness over Vande Mataram being celebrated
Ahead of the special parliamentary discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam expressed his happiness that the song is being celebrated with pride after many years. He also noted that Prime Minister Modi has highlighted how the song inspires pride and patriotism among people.
Parliament Vande Matram Debate LIVE: AAP MP requests discussion on ‘Public Health Emergency in Delhi’
AAP MP Sanjay Singh has submitted a Rule 267 notice in the Rajya Sabha, requesting a discussion on “Public Health Emergency in Delhi, the alarming spike in crimes in the National Capital, and the humanitarian crisis caused by bulldozer demolitions.”
He has also submitted a Zero Hour notice in the Upper House on the issue of “Urgent Need for Pan-India Recognition of CPS Mumbai Postgraduate Specialist Doctors.”
Parliament Vande Matram Debate LIVE: ‘Vande Mataram made a very significant contribution,’ says BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal
BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal said that the nation honors Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, noting that Vande Mataram, now the national song, was widely sung even before independence and played an important role in uniting the country. He added that during today’s parliamentary session, MPs will also express their gratitude to Chattopadhyay.
Parliament Vande Matram Debate LIVE: ‘Nehru ji was against this song.. Prioritising appeasement and vote bank..’: Shehzad Poonawalla
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that the special discussion in both Houses will be a historic moment, paying tribute to Vande Mataram, which he described as more than a song, calling it a unifying call for Indians during the struggle against British rule. He also criticized Congress, suggesting that the party and Rahul Gandhi should acknowledge past actions that, in his view, undermined the song and its significance. Poonawalla accused Nehru of opposing the song and claimed that Congress historically politicized it, prioritising vote-bank strategies, dividing the national song, and, according to him, continuing policies that affect national unity.
Parliament Vande Matram Debate LIVE: ‘An important day for all Indians,’ says Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde
Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Parliament will hold a historic discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, calling it an important day for all Indians.
Parliament Vande Matram Debate LIVE: ‘It’s not just a song,’ says Sudha Murthy
On the special Lok Sabha discussion marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, BJP MP Sudha Murthy said she is taking part and is very pleased about it. She described the song as more than just music, saying it inspires patriotism and, having been composed 150 years ago before independence, it served to bring people together.
Parliament Vande Matram Debate LIVE: When will PM Modi speak on Vande Mataram issue?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to speak in the ongoing discussion at 12 pm today. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also set to give his remarks at the end of the session.
Vande Mataram debate in Parliament Live: How will the NDA use its time in Lok Sabha debate on Vande Mataram?
The BJP-led NDA government has been given three hours to present its views during the Lok Sabha debate, which will run for a total of ten hours. The discussion will continue in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to begin the proceedings.
Vande Mataram debate in Parliament Live: Special debate to ensue
A special discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram will be held in the Lok Sabha today. Lawmakers are expected to bring up several important and lesser-known details about the song. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also speak during the session.
Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: PM Modi to initiate debate on Vande Mataram
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be initiating a debate on Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha today. The Opposition is expected to chime in with the defence over the claims of “important missing stanzas” from the song. Stay with us as the debate unfolds in the Parliament today.