BJP accuses Nehru of removing ‘Vande Mataram’ stanzas praising Maa Durga in 1937

As India marks 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram, the Bharatiya Janata Party has accused former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of deliberately removing stanzas praising Goddess Durga from the song in 1937. The BJP claimed that while Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose wanted the “full original” version to be released, Nehru believed the song was “not suitable” as a national symbol due to its religious connotations.

BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan shared excerpts from Nehru’s letters, alleging that under his leadership, the Congress committed a “historic sin and blunder” by linking the song to religion. According to Kesavan, Nehru had written to Bose on October 20, 1937, expressing concern that the background of Vande Mataram could “irritate Muslims” and acknowledging “substance” in the objections raised.

Kesavan further argued that the Congress, under Nehru’s presidency, altered the song’s original form and thereby diluted its essence. He compared Nehru’s stance to that of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming both reflected an “anti-Hindu mentality” that continues to offend religious sentiments.

The BJP’s charge comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram. Written by Bankim Chandra Chat