Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. File
| Photo Credit: ANI
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday (February 27, 2026) alleged that the Congress party truncated ‘Vande Mataram’ and compromised on the national song in 1937 under pressure from the Muslim League and allowed appeasement politics to override national sentiment.
He was speaking during a debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address in the ongoing budget session of the State Assembly. “It is a matter of immense pride that this year’s budget session began with the Vande Mataram,” he said, adding that those who are questioning its singing must reflect on their own historical record. He said that the completion of 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ is not merely a ceremonial milestone, but a 150-year saga of national awakening, sacrifice, and cultural self-respect.
The Congress legislators, in the meantime, staged a brief walkout from the House in a show of protest.
The Chief Minister said on August 15, 1947, at the request of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Pandit Omkar Nath Thakur sang Vande Mataram on All India Radio and that on January 24, 1950, it was accorded equal respect to the National Anthem and declared the National Song by the Constituent Assembly.
Mr. Saini said that in 1937, under opposition from the Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Congress leadership, instead of firmly defending the song, initiated a review. “The then Congress President Jawaharlal Nehru wrote to Subhas Chandra Bose expressing concerns that the background of ‘Anand Math’ might offend Muslims. Subsequently, on October 26, 1937, the Congress Working Committee reviewed the matter and truncated Vande Mataram,” he said.
“This was the moment when Congress chose political appeasement over national pride,” the Chief Minister said, adding that history bears witness to the compromise made under pressure.
Published – February 28, 2026 05:40 am IST
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