PM Modi to Lead Vande Mataram Debate in Lok Sabha on Dec 8
PM Modi to Lead Vande Mataram Debate in Lok Sabha on Dec 8
PM Modi kicks off a Lok Sabha discussion on Vande Mataram's 150th anniversary, with a cross‑party line‑up and 10 hours of debate as leaders reflect on the song's history and national identity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to open the debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha on December 8, 2025. The government has sought a cross‑party discussion to mark the national song, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and set to music by Jadunath Bhattacharya, with a wide aim of deepening awareness among youth and students about its significance.
In the Lok Sabha, the discussion is allotted 10 hours and will see the government presenting the enduring importance of Vande Mataram while opposition members add their perspectives on its history, the legacy of its stanzas, and the role of the song in India's freedom struggle. The Congress has named its Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for participation, while Rahul Gandhi will speak on electoral reforms on December 9.
The Rajya Sabha will begin its deliberations on December 9, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah initiating the discussion and Health Minister and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, J.P. Nadda, slated as the second speaker. Both houses are coordinating their schedules as part of a year‑long celebration of the song’s 150th anniversary launched on November 7, 2025, aimed at engaging youth and broadening understanding of the national anthem's place in the national story.
The debate arrives amid a broader conversation about the song’s history, including Modi’s assertion that a 1937 revision removed key stanzas and sowed seeds of partition. Supporters emphasize the song’s patriotic message and its continued resonance, while critics stress the importance of acknowledging the complexities of its history. The discussions are framed as ceremonial and educational, intended to foster patriotism and historical awareness without revisiting broader political fault lines.
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote the lyrics, and Jadunath Bhattacharya composed the tune. The 150th anniversary celebrations seek to present Vande Mataram as a living symbol of national unity, while encouraging younger generations to engage with the song’s role in India's diverse historical narrative.
Cover image source: PM Modi to initiate debate on Vande Mataram in Lok Sabha on December 8 🔗
