Defense Minister Rajnath Singh strongly condemned the Congress Working Committee’s (CWC) decision to recite only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at official party events, calling the move “extremely regrettable” and a serious constitutional issue.
Key Points from Rajnath Singh’s Statement
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Questioning Patriotism & Constitutional Loyalty: Singh stated that refusing to fully honor the national song raises serious questions regarding patriotism and constitutional commitment, noting that laws and resolutions binding national symbols must be respected.
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Critique of the 1937 Precedent: Addressing the Congress party’s reliance on its 1937 CWC resolution, Singh argued that the historic decision compromised with radical demands of the Muslim League, which ultimately contributed to the country’s partition.
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Warning on Surrendering to Radical Elements: He cautioned that yielding to radical pressures poses a dangerous precedent for national security and societal cohesion.
Context Behind the Controversy
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CWC Decision: The Congress Working Committee decided to formally restrict the singing of Vande Mataram at party functions to its initial two stanzas, adhering to the historical resolution adopted by the party in 1937.
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Political Prelude: The ruling came amid political friction following allegations by the BJP concerning the conduct of Congress leadership during the rendering of the national song at the August 15 Independence Day celebrations.
