Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a landmark debate in Parliament to commemorate 150 years of Vande Mataram, setting the stage for an eight-hour discussion during the second week of the winter session. The national song, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and set to tune by Jadunath Bhattacharya, is being celebrated through a year-long series of events aimed at deepening public engagement especially among students and young citizens.
The Prime Minister’s address in the Lok Sabha marked the beginning of the debate, while Union home minister Amit Shah is scheduled to open the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Parliamentary officials said the debate would highlight several lesser-known facts and historical nuances related to Vande Mataram.
From the Trinamool Congress, Mahua Moitra and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar will speak in the Lok Sabha, while Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Ritabrata Banerjee are expected to articulate the party’s views in the Rajya Sabha. Congress has fielded Gaurav Gogoi in the Lok Sabha, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge leading the Opposition’s stand in the upper house.
The political backdrop remains charged. Recently, PM Modi accused the Congress of removing key stanzas from the national song in 1937 claims that have sparked debate across political circles. On November 7, the Prime Minister formally launched the anniversary celebrations, stressing the cultural and emotional significance of Vande Mataram in India’s national consciousness.
The Lok Sabha will also hold a crucial debate on election reforms on Tuesday, covering a wide range of issues, including the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to present the Opposition’s perspective during the session. The Rajya Sabha will take up the election reforms debate the following day.
The government and the Opposition recently agreed to discuss both the Vande Mataram anniversary and electoral roll revisions, raising hopes of smoother proceedings after earlier disruptions in the winter session.
