Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reignited a historical debate around Vande Mataram, saying that the Congress’ 1937 decision to remove some stanzas from the song led to a divided mindset that eventually contributed to India’s Partition.

Speaking at the 150th-anniversary celebrations of the national song, Modi said, “Vande Mataram became the voice of India’s freedom struggle, it expressed the feelings of every Indian. Unfortunately, in 1937, important stanzas of Vande Mataram..its soul was removed. The division of Vande Mataram also sowed the seeds of partition.”

He added that today’s generation should know “why this injustice was done with this ‘maha mantra’ of nation building.”

What Was the Issue With Vande Mataram?

The National song Vande Mataram, meaning “I bow to thee, Mother”, was

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