BJP using nationalism to hide failures: Congress leader Nana Patole

Congress leaders including Nana Patole accused the BJP of using the Vande Mataram row to divert attention from its failures. The BJP passed a resolution condemning the Congress for its decision to sing only the first two stanzas of the national song.

Senior Congress leader Nana Patole criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in centre for its attempt to deflect public attention from pressing issues and refuted claims that Congress opposed Vande Mataram. Speaking to reporters here, the Congress leader expressed strong disapproval of the intensifying political dispute surrounding the national song, alleging that political rivals are deliberately stoking nationalist narratives to cover up their failures. "The government is using nationalism to hide its failures. They are also trying to divert attention from other issues. Congress never opposed Vande Mataram. They are doing unnecessary politics," Patole said.

Congress Alleges Diversion Tactics

On the other hand, as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi landed in Pune yesterday to spearhead the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' youth initiative, party leader Balasaheb Thorat said that the ruling faction is attempting to shift focus away from key governance concerns. "BJP is trying to divert attention from the issue," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday said the "Chhatro Ki Goonj" programme had reached Delhi and claimed that "panic" was visible in the national capital even before the message had fully arrived. The campaign has previously been held in Kota, Dehradun, and Prayagraj and is aimed at bringing student grievances into the national political discourse.

BJP Passes Resolution Condemning Congress's Stance

As this happened, during the National Office Bearers meeting, the BJP passed a resolution condemning the Congress Working Committee's decision to sing only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram', while the main Opposition party slammed the BJP for using nationalism to hide its "failures."

The BJP said it considers 'Vande Mataram' as India's National Song, an expression of reverence for Bharat Mata, a mantra of the freedom struggle and an immortal symbol of India's national consciousness.

The party announced that it would launch a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the history and significance of the National Song.

Speaking on the resolution against the Congress' stance on 'Vande Mataram', Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the BJP had passed the resolution under the leadership of Nitin Nabin to uphold the "honour, dignity and complete legacy" of the National Song. "Under the leadership of BJP National President Nitin Nabin, BJP has passed an important resolution to uphold the honour, dignity and complete legacy of Vande Mataram. The resolution strongly condemns the Congress Working Committee's decision to reaffirm its 1937 resolution restricting Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at Congress programmes," Rijiju said.

"Vande Mataram, in its complete form, is an immortal symbol of our freedom struggle and Bharat's national consciousness. Its honour and legacy can never be compromised for political convenience or appeasement," he added.

'They are the Traitors': Kharge Hits Back

The BJP's resolution drew sharp criticism from Congress leaders, who accused the ruling party of using the issue for political purposes. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJP was calling those who did not sing 'Vande Mataram' traitors, while accusing the BJP of having remained on the side of British rule during the freedom struggle.

"They claim that anyone who doesn't sing 'Vande Mataram' is a traitor. They are the ones who are actually traitors; after all, they wanted to remain slaves to the British, whereas we were the ones who liberated them from that servitude. We are the ones who brought independence," Kharge said.

The 1937 Resolution at the Core of the Dispute

The BJP strongly condemned the Congress Working Committee's decision to re-adopt its 1937 resolution restricting the singing of 'Vande Mataram' at Congress programmes to its first two stanzas. The BJP said it considers 'Vande Mataram' India's National Song, an expression of reverence for Bharat Mata, a mantra of the freedom struggle and an enduring symbol of India's national consciousness.

In its resolution, the BJP said it would oppose the Congress decision and protect the honour, dignity and legacy of the full six-stanza version of 'Vande Mataram'. It also announced a nationwide awareness campaign, including a special drive among the youth.

The Congress Working Committee had earlier decided that only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' would be sung at party events, citing its 1937 resolution. Congress MP KC Venugopal had said the party's position was clear and that it would follow the decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937. (ANI)

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