Congress defies govt protocol on Vande Mataram

The Indian National Congress has reaffirmed its decision to sing only the first two stanzas of the national song "Vande Mataram" at all party events, a stance rooted in a 1937 resolution that directly defies a new central government protocol mandating the full version at official functions. The decision, made at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee on August 19, 2026, has ignited a sharp political confrontation with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The BJP swiftly condemned the Congress resolution, with national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accusing the opposition party of placing itself above the Constitution and the nation. Trivedi stated that the decision "completely shattered" Congress's claim to be the "sole copyright holder of the freedom struggle" and questioned its patriotism. He drew a parallel between the Congress's stance and the historical opposition of the Muslim League to the full version of the song, labeling the Congress the "new Muslim League."

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal defended the party's position, asserting that the 1937 resolution was adopted by towering national figures including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar...