Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, addressing a public gathering on Monday at “Ekta Yatra” in Gorakhpur, said that singing “Vande Mataram” will be made compulsory in all schools and educational institutions across the state soon, aiming at inspiring pride and respect for Bharat Mata and strengthening national unity. India Commemorates 150 Years of Vande Mataram with Year-Long Celebrations from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026
“We must identify and act against those who weaken our unity so that no other ‘Jinnah’ can ever rise to challenge India’s integrity.” the CM said.
“There’s no point in opposing Vande Mataram,” he added.
“No religion or caste can be greater than the country”
Taking a jab at the Congress, the Chief Minister claimed that the party once labeled Vande Maataram as “communal.” “No religion or caste can be greater than the country. We must rise above beliefs that hinder national unity,” the Chief Minister said.
Untoward uproar around Vande Mataram
A controversy also erupted around Vande Mataram as Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of “tearing apart” the song in the year 1937.
“A portion of Vande Mataram was removed, sowing the seeds of division,” the Prime Minister said. The criticism by BJP goes to the extent of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for ““pandering to communal sentiments,” as said by the BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan. He said that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress altered the lyrics and removed the references it contained associated with Goddess Durga.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh referenced records from the 1937 Congress Working Committee, highlighting that the move to restrict the hymn was guided by Rabindranath Tagore.
“The Congress Working Committee met in Kolkata October 26-November 1, 1937. Those present included Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sarojini Naidu, J.B. Kripalani, Bhulabhai Desai, Jamnalal Bajaj, Narendra Deva, and others. The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol. 66, Page 46, reveals that on October 28, 1937, the CWC issued a statement on Vande Mataram. This statement had been profoundly influenced by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and his advice,” he said.
