Insult to nationalism, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay: West Bengal CM on Vande Mataram row

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday slammed senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, saying her "objection" to singing the full version of Vande Mataram was an "insult" to nationalism and the song's writer, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

He said that Gandhi's "irritation, objection and opposition" during the full rendition of Vande Mataram had been witnessed by the entire country.

The BJP has accused the former Congress chief of objecting to the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at an Independence Day event at the opposition party's headquarters in the national capital.


Read more: BJP using Vande Mataram issue to divert attention from real ones: K C Venugopal

However, the Congress denied the charge, asserting that there was no attempt to stop the singing of the full version of the national song and that Gandhi was only asking for a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge as he was standing for quite some time.

"I condemn Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's objection to Vande Mataram at party office. This is an insult to nationalism, patriotism and overall to the creator of Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay," Adhikari told reporters at the state secretariat here.

He accused the Congress of indulging in "high appeasement politics" to satisfy "one particular vote bank" and demanded that the party apologise over the issue.

"The entire Bengal is fuming. On behalf of the people of the state, I denounce the party. I hope they will tender an unconditional apology," Adhikari said.

Read more: Congress should apologise for insulting Vande Mataram on Independence Day: Amit Shah

"The Congress cannot hide anything; the entire country has seen how Sonia Gandhi was visibly furious when Vande Mataram was being played. Everything is on record."

The Chief Minister said Congress leaders attempting to defend Gandhi would not be able to paper over what had transpired at the event.

"While the full Vande Mataram was being sung, the way the real owner of the Congress, Sonia Gandhi, expressed irritation, objection and opposition was witnessed by the entire country," he said.

"Whatever efforts Congress leaders may make to save their leader, after the live telecast and the video that has gone viral, there is no scope for them to cover up the truth," the chief minister said.

Adhikari pointed out that the country was observing the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and year-long programmes were being organised across the country.

The BJP dispensation in Bengal has made singing Vande Mataram compulsory during prayers in all government and government-aided educational institutions, he highlighted.

The Chief Minister also said Sumitra Chattopadhyay, a direct descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has written to Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge protesting her "objection" to singing the full version of Vande Mataram.

"I do not expect anything from the Congress leaders in West Bengal because I do not think they have the ability or the courage to say anything on this issue," Adhikari said.

"However, in view of the letter written by Sumitra Chattopadhyay, we will wait for the response from Gandhi and Kharge," he said.

Adhikari also pointed out that Parliament has brought in a law over the singing of Vande Mataram.

Last month, Parliament passed a bill that makes any insult to the national song a punishable offence. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was passed by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha on July 30, a day after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.

The law grants status to Vande Mataram on par with the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

Recalling the significance of Vande Mataram in the rise of Indian nationalism, Adhikari said the song had been a source of inspiration during the freedom struggle.

It became an integral part of movement during the 1905 Partition of Bengal, he pointed out and citied freedom fighter Bipin Chandra Pal to say that "Swadeshi, boycott and Vande Mataram" were the three key driving forces of the struggle for India's freedom.

The Chief Minister also announced that the state government would establish a museum of national stature dedicated to Vande Mataram this year.