New Delhi, Dec 8 (UNI) The Winter Session of Parliament, finally finding a legislative rhythm after a stormy opening week, is poised for a major political and ideological confrontation on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiates a special debate in the Lok Sabha to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song, ‘Vande Mataram.’
The 10-hour discussion is scheduled to begin with the Prime Minister’s address, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh set to conclude the day’s proceedings.
However, the commemoration of the patriotic song, first published by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875, is expected to quickly morph into a heated ideological clash, as the Prime Minister has already set a provocative tone.
The debate follows PM Modi’s recent sharp accusation that the Congress party, during its 1937 Faizabad session, was responsible for “removing important stanzas” from the original song, a decision he claimed “sowed the seeds of Partition and dissected ‘Vande Mataram’ into pieces.”
The ruling BJP-led NDA views the debate as an opportunity to highlight the song’s “historical significance and current relevance,” promising to unveil “many lesser-known facets” related to its contribution to the freedom struggle. They are expected to press the narrative of Congress’s alleged historical compromise on a symbol of national unity.
The Congress, with leaders including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra scheduled to participate, has defended the 1937 decision. They claim the trimming of the song was done based on the advice of national figures like Rabindranath Tagore and was an act of accommodation to the feelings of members from other communities and faiths to foster national cohesion.
The discussion is likely to be noisy, especially as the debate will extend to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, where it is set to be initiated by union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The timing of this politically charged debate is critical, coming just weeks after a confrontation erupted over Parliamentary decorum. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat had earlier reiterated a rule advising MPs to refrain from using expressions such as ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jai Hind’ inside Parliament, a directive the Opposition quickly seized upon to accuse the NDA of being “uncomfortable with symbols of India’s Independence.”
Adding to the expected disruptions, Opposition members are also likely to use today’s proceedings to vent their ire over the massive disruptions caused by the IndiGo flight cancellations, which have stranded thousands of passengers nationwide over the weekend.
With the legislative roadblock cleared last week, setting the stage for discussions on high-impact topics like election reforms later in the week, Parliament’s second week promises an intense focus, blending symbolic heritage with current political turmoil.
PM Modi pens ‘Vande Mataram’ debate, re-igniting partition-era sparks
