New Delhi, Nov 7 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday triggered a fresh political debate after questioning former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s 1937 decision to truncate Vande Mataram, calling it a reflection of a “partition mindset.”
The remarks were made during the launch of the year-long nationwide celebration marking 150 years of the national song.
As per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, PM Modi inaugurated the commemorative events at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, where he also released a special postage stamp and coin to mark the historic milestone. He further unveiled a dedicated digital portal to document and promote the 150-year legacy of Vande Mataram.
The ceremony saw mass singing of the full version of the song across the country, synchronised with the main programme in Delhi. Modi also joined participants in the collective rendition at the venue. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi LG Vinai Saxena and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were among those present.
The celebrations officially begin a year-long remembrance from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026. Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on Akshaya Navami in 1875, first appeared in the journal Bangadarshan as part of the novel Anandamath. Invoking the motherland as a symbol of spiritual and cultural power, the hymn became a defining force during India’s freedom struggle.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the countrywide commemoration aims to reconnect citizens—particularly youth and students—with the song’s revolutionary spirit. The Union Cabinet had earlier approved the nationwide programme to ensure the hymn’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.
The BJP has also planned an extensive series of events nationwide that will simultaneously mark the 150th birth anniversary of tribal freedom icon Birsa Munda.
