“150 Glorious Years of Vande Mataram”- Debate in Lok Sabha Today; Why Jawaharlal Nehru Chose 'Jana Gana Mana' as The National Anthem over 'Vande Mataram'

Key Points:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the debate on “150 years of Vande Mataram” today in Parliament. On December 3, 2025, it was decided after a meeting chaired by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla that a 10-hours discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram will be held today in Lok Sabha. Tomorrow, December 9, 2025, the discussion will continue in the Rajya Sabha. The discussion on electoral reforms will take place tomorrow, December 9, 2025 in the Lok Sabha.

Sahitya Samrat (Emperor of Literature) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay  wrote the national song on 7 November, 1875. The poem was first published in his journal, “Bangadarshan”. In 1882, he included the whole poem in his novel “Anandmath”.

Anandmath was a phenomenal novel that highlighted the resilience of freedom fighters against the British, in Bengal. It was set in late 18th century India, after the fall of Plassey to the British. The song was also used to oppose the partition of Bengal on religious lines in 1905.

See Also: How Nehru Played an Important Role in India’s Independence Struggle, Institution-Building, and National Development

Vande Mataram is used as a poem to highlight the national struggle movement. It was written as a “Shakti Puja”, personifying Mother India as a divine Goddess. Over the years, it was used to facilitate India’s freedom movement, energising our forefathers to remove British imperialism.

November 7, 2025 was celebrated as the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. Today is the day it is being debated in the Parliament, highlighting the glorious and prestigious song that it is; in addition to holding national and cultural significance.

PM Modi and other BJP leaders are going to debate on its importance, and why India’s first PM Nehru preferred to have it as India’s national song, rather than the national anthem. Opposition leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Priyanka Gandhi and others are also going to debate on the same.

Nehru on Vande Mataram

India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru mentioned several reasons why Jana Gana Mana should be the national anthem, instead of Vande Mataram. He revered both poems in high national pride and spirit.

See Also: Congress’ Nehru Focus Under Fire As BJP Highlights Ambedkar Marginalisation

On August 25, 1948, in a debate in the Constituent Assembly, he said that Vande Mataram is irreplacable as our national song. He said that it represented more of passion and poignance of the national independence movement, rather than the culmination of it. 

Nehru said that the main significance of the national anthem should be the tune, the band rendering. While playing the National Anthem in other nations, its tune is played. Jana Gana Mana has a great music tune which is already famous globally. Vande Mataram holds a great significance as the national song, with none other to replace it, he added.

(Rh/GP)

Suggested Reading: