New Delhi: Why has the Union Home Ministry now issued an official protocol for Vande Mataram, which had been accorded equal respect alongside the national anthem Jana Gana Mana? The simple answer would be, “as part of the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.” However, critics point out that this is yet another long-standing agenda of the RSS that the Narendra Modi government has implemented.

Only the first two stanzas were recognised as the national song in 1950. The new order mandates that all six stanzas be sung. The politics behind the decision, critics argue, is embedded in that directive.

Under the leadership of the Narendra Modi government, year-long celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram are under way. A special discussion was also held in Parliament. The BJP and the Congress engaged in a major political confrontation over Vande Mataram, citing history in their arguments and counterarguments.

The Prime Minister criticised the Congress over the discussions that, in 1937, led to the acceptance of only the first two stanzas as the national song, with four stanzas being dropped. Why was Vande Mataram not accepted in its entirety as written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, PM Modi asked, describing the omission of four stanzas as a historical mistake. The Modi government and the BJP portrayed the 1987 decision and the Congress Working Committee discussions as part of what they termed Congress’s minority appeasement. The revival of controversy over a decision taken nine decades ago is seen as being driven by political calculations with an eye on elections in Bengal.

The BJP alleges that certain stanzas were excluded because they contained references to Hindu deities. Through this, it also sought to corner the Trinamool Congress.

The Congress defended itself by referring to the discussions and correspondence that preceded the 1987 Working Committee meeting. The party pointed out that the 1937 debates centred on ensuring that national symbols are inclusive and acceptable to all. It accused the government of politicising Vande Mataram and distorting history through convenient interpretations.

The Jan Sangh, and later the BJP, have adopted an approach that places Vande Mataram above Jana Gana Mana. The Sangh Parivar has consistently regarded the song as a symbol of Hindutva nationalism. The Modi government has now formalised its position by announcing an official protocol.