The Parliament’s winter session will see a major focus today as PM Modi will lead a special discussion in Lok Sabha on the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram. The debate is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and the House has allotted 10 hours for what promises to be a substantive reflection on the song’s journey, significance, and controversies.

Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and first published on November 7, 1875 in the literary journal Bangadarshan, “Vande Mataram” went on to find a place in Chatterjee’s novel Anandamath (published 1882), and became an anthem of India’s freedom struggle. Over the decades, it has grown beyond a poem — evolving into a powerful symbol of national identity, patriotism and collective memory.

The planned parliamentary session aims not only to commemorate the song’s legacy, but also to spotlight lesser-known historical facets tied to the journey of “Vande Mataram.”

After PM Modi's opening address, Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister, is expected to speak, and key members of the opposition including Gaurav Gogoi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are slated to contribute to the debate.

The timing of this discussion is part of a broader commemoration drive. On November 7, the government launched a year-long national celebration marking 150 years of the song, emphasising its role as a unifying patriotic anthem that connects modern India with its past.
However, the commemorative debate is expected to stir political currents as well. The history of “Vande Mataram” has been subject to debate: proponents highlight its role in galvanising India’s freedom struggle and forging national unity; critics caution of concerns around cultural sensitivity and communal harmony — especially around verses that were reportedly dropped from mainstream use decades ago

As the Lok Sabha convenes today, all eyes will be on how MPs from across the political spectrum approach “Vande Mataram”: whether as a shared heritage meant to unite, or as a complex symbol whose history and interpretation invite deeper scrutiny.