Amid a controversy over the Congress’ decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram, the BJP on Saturday (August 22) passed a resolution condemning it and said that it would not accept any compromise on the honour of the national song for political convenience or appeasement.
The ruling BJP’s resolution comes after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Wednesday decided to abide by its 1937 resolution on Vande Mataram, saying only two stanzas of the national song would be sung at all party events henceforth.
New office-bearers meeting
At a meeting of its new office-bearers in Delhi, the BJP said in the resolution passed that the Congress could not override constitutional institutions or laws of the country.
Also read: Congress decides to limit Vande Mataram to two stanzas; ‘new Muslim League,’ snaps BJP
The ruling party announced that it would launch a campaign to spread the significance of Vande Mataram to every corner of the country.
BJP president Nitin Nabin presided over the meeting and later shared the resolution on X.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today, August 22, 2026, passed an important resolution regarding the respect for Vande Mataram and the protection of its historical legacy,” Nabin said.
What resolution says
The BJP “strongly condemns and unequivocally opposes” the August 19 decision of the CWC reaffirming its 1937 resolution, limiting the singing of Vande Mataram to only the first two verses at Congress functions, he said.
Also read: Vande Mataram row: Can a gesture or a remark amount to an offence?
The BJP would oppose any attempt to subject the national song to “communal pressure, political appeasement or narrow vote-bank politics”, Nabin said.
“No compromise on the honour, legacy of Vande Mataram will be accepted for political convenience or appeasement,” he added.
Nabin said a resolution of the CWC could not override constitutional institutions or laws of the country.
A “political compromise” of 1937 could not be elevated above the constitutional settlement of 1950 and legislation enacted by Parliament in 2026, he said.
Recent amendment
On July 30, Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, which grants Vande Mataram the same legal status as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
Under the amended law, intentionally disrupting or preventing the singing of Vande Mataram is a criminal offence punishable with up to 3 years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The BJP president said his party would launch a campaign to spread the history, meaning, national significance and glorious heritage of Vande Mataram to every corner of India.
“BJP will protect the honour, dignity, heritage and national character of the Purna Vande Mataram,” he said.