OPINION

“Vande Mataram” Is Now a Patriotism Test: Who Decided How Many Stanzas an Indian Must Sing?

By Hameedullah Shaik · 2026-08-23

What happened

The debate over how many verses of Vande Mataram to sing has shifted from a historical discussion to a litmus test of patriotism, pitting the BJP against the Congress. As the song’s religious verses spark controversy, the real question becomes whether nationalism is being weaponised for political gain or used to address deeper civic failures. Vande Mataram is being turned into a partisan loyalty test, diverting attention from real civic issues like school funding and public accountability.

TL;DR

Vande Mataram is being turned into a partisan loyalty test, diverting attention from real civic issues like school funding and public accountability.

Key points

The BJP demands the full six‑verse Vande Mataram, while the Congress sticks to the traditional first two stanzas.
The first two verses have been the official version since the 1937 Congress resolution, avoiding the religious imagery of later verses.
The controversy shifts focus from governance to identity politics, making patriotism a binary test.
Opposition activists counter with the "School Theek Karo" narrative, highlighting material citizenship over symbolic gestures.

The latest controversy surrounding Vande Mataram reveals a deeper transformation of a historic freedom song into a partisan loyalty test. While the song’s place in India’s anti‑colonial struggle is undisputed, the political battle now centres on whether citizens should sing only the first two stanzas – traditionally used in official functions – or the entire composition, which contains more explicit religious imagery.Historical backdrop The poem "Vande Mataram" was penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1882 and gained a wider public life when Rabindranath Tagore set it to music and performed it at the Indian National Congress session in 1896. In 1937 the Congress formally adopted the first two verses as the official version for public use, a compromise that respected both the song’s nationalist fervour and the concerns of religious minorities. The composition was later accorded the status of National Song, a designation distinct from the National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana".The present showdown In recent weeks the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded that the opposition Congress sing the full six‑verse composition during its observances, framing any refusal as a lack of patriotism. The Congress, adhering to its long‑standing practice, continues to use only the first two stanzas. The BJP’s strategy is less about proving the song’s importance – that battle has already been won – and more about forcing the opposition into a symbolic concession that can be portrayed as a political victory, regardless of the outcome.Why the verses matter The first two stanzas celebrate the motherland in secular terms and have become the default for state ceremonies, school events and public gatherings. The later verses invoke Hindu deities and imagery that have historically generated debate among secular and minority groups. By insisting on the full version, the BJP creates a binary equation: full song equals patriotism, partial song equals compromise, and questioning the demand equals disrespect.The danger of a loyalty test When patriotism is measured by the number of verses sung, the discourse shifts from substantive governance to identity politics. A citizen can sing every word of Vande Mataram and still misuse public funds; conversely, a person who sings only two stanzas can devote their life to improving schools, health care and social security. Constitutionally, no Indian can be stripped of citizenship for refusing to perform a particular rendition of a song.The "School Theek Karo" counter‑narrative Opposition activists have juxtaposed the symbolic demand with the concrete issue of under‑funded government schools, coining the slogan "School Theek Karo" (Fix the schools). While one narrative asks, "Which version of Vande Mataram will you sing?", the other asks, "Why doesn’t this government school have the facilities children are entitled to?" The latter shifts focus from symbolic patriotism to material citizenship, accountability and the performance of public institutions – a conversation that is harder for any party to dominate.Patriotism beyond party lines The article argues that patriotism should not be outsourced to politicians. No party owns Vande Mataram, the freedom struggle, or the army. Citizenship should not be conditional on performing nationalism in a manner dictated by a ruling party. Instead, the nation should ask whether it protects its most vulnerable children, guarantees social security for workers, safeguards constitutional rights, and ensures that public money is spent responsibly.Looking ahead If Vande Mataram means "Mother, I salute you," then true patriotism must also mean caring for the people who inhabit that motherland. Citizens should be free to sing the whole song, the first two verses, or none at all, without fearing that their loyalty is being judged. The real test of national commitment lies in demanding accountability, improving public services, and keeping the democratic conversation alive, rather than choosing sides in a stanza‑based loyalty test.Conclusion The Vande Mataram controversy illustrates how a historic symbol can be repurposed as a political weapon. While the BJP seeks to frame the issue as a binary test of patriotism, the broader public must resist reducing citizenship to a sing‑along and instead focus on the substantive challenges that affect everyday Indians – from school infrastructure to social welfare – that truly define a nation's strength.