Parliament Winter Session: 10-Hour Vande Mataram Debate Begins; PM Modi Says It Became Bengal’s “War Cry”

Parliment
6 Min Read

The Winter Session of Parliament is set for a politically charged week as Vande Mataram returns to national focus. A 10-hour debate has been scheduled in the Lok Sabha to mark 150 years of India’s national song, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiating the discussion.

The debate comes amid a fresh political row between the ruling BJP and the Congress, triggered by PM Modi’s earlier remarks about the removal of certain verses from Vande Mataram in 1937.

PM Modi to Open Lok Sabha Debate Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open the debate at 12 noon on Monday in the Lok Sabha. The discussion is listed under “150th anniversary of national song Vande Mataram” on December 8, 2025, with the House dedicating ten full hours to the session.

The debate is part of the year-long celebration commemorating 150 years of the national song, originally written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and set to tune by Jadunath Bhattacharya.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to speak at the conclusion of the debate.

Congress Deploys Senior Leaders for Debate

The Congress has lined up several prominent MPs, including:

  • Gaurav Gogoi (Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha)

  • Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Wayanad MP)

  • Deepender Hooda

  • Bimol Akoijam

  • Praniti Shinde

  • Prashant Padole

  • Chamala Reddy

  • Jyotsna Mahant

These leaders will represent the party’s position in the 10-hour discussion.

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Rajya Sabha Debate to Be Led by Amit Shah

In the Rajya Sabha, the debate will continue on December 9, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah acting as the opening speaker.

Political Row: PM Modi vs Congress Over ‘Removed Verses’

The special debate follows strong remarks by Prime Minister Modi, who accused the Congress of removing “significant verses” of Vande Mataram in 1937.

What PM Modi Said (November 7)

The Prime Minister claimed:

  • Significant verses of Vande Mataram were removed in 1937

  • This “broke” the stanzas of the national song

  • He said today’s generation must understand “why such injustice was committed”

  • Modi added that this decision “sowed the seeds for partition”

  • He blamed a “divisive mindset” that he said continues to challenge the nation

Congress Hits Back: Jairam Ramesh Responds

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh rejected PM Modi’s allegations.

He said:

  • The 1937 move was a decision taken by the Congress Working Committee (CWC)

  • The CWC at the time included iconic leaders such as:

    • Mahatma Gandhi

    • Jawaharlal Nehru

    • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

    • Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

    • Rajendra Prasad

    • Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Jairam Ramesh added that the PM had “insulted this CWC as well as Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.”
He also said this reaction was “not surprising since the RSS had played no role in the Freedom Movement.”

Winter Session Timeline

  • Session started: December 1

  • Session ends: December 19

  • The major agenda includes the historic Vande Mataram debate, which is generating significant political attention.

Why Vande Mataram Is in Focus?

The discussion marks 150 years since the publication of Vande Mataram.

What the Article States About Its History

  • Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee

  • First published on November 7, 1875, in the journal Bangadarshan

  • First used as a political slogan in August 1905 by protesting students in Calcutta

  • Became a widespread slogan between 1905 and 1947, used by freedom fighters

  • Referred to as a “political war cry,” especially among nationalists after Chatterjee’s death

  • In 1937, “significant verses” were removed

  • On January 24, 1950, the song was adopted by the Constituent Assembly

(All of the above are directly cited from the source and not expanded beyond the provided text.)

Why This Debate Matters Politically?

The source article highlights:

  • PM Modi’s accusation that Congress removed key stanzas

  • Congress counter, defending the decision as collective and historic

  • Accusations of “insulting national leaders”

  • Strong reactions from both sides, elevating the symbolic importance of the debate

The 150th anniversary celebration has thus taken on significant political weight, becoming a major point of confrontation in Parliament.

What Happens Next in Parliament?

Based on the article:

  • Lok Sabha debate: PM Modi opens, followed by speakers from both sides, including eight Congress MPs

  • Rajnath Singh concludes the Lok Sabha debate

  • Rajya Sabha debate: Amit Shah to open on December 9

  • The Winter Session continues till December 19

The 10-hour discussion is expected to dominate proceedings in both Houses.

Important Notes

The article ends by reiterating:

  • Vande Mataram was first published in 1875

  • Became highly influential in political movements until 1947

  • Played a role as a rallying slogan

  • Officially adopted in 1950

These points are part of the factual information contained within the source text.

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Pradeep Sangatramani, founder and CEO of NiftyTrader, is an IIM Calcutta alumnus with a background in engineering. Passionate about the stock market from early on, he spent years studying its dynamics and working in roles focused on market analysis, trading tools, and financial data. Realising the challenges traders face in accessing user-friendly tools, he built NiftyTrader to offer data-driven, easy-to-use solutions. Committed to transparency and education, Pradeep actively shares insights through articles and webinars, aiming to empower traders at all levels.
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