Cong. stance on Vande Mataram a very serious issue, says Rajnath

Cong. Stance on Vande Mataram a particularly serious problem, notes Rajnath Any law passed by Parliament is binding on every individual, states Defence Minister.

Key points

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday (August 21, 2026) criticised the Congress over its stand on Vande Mataram, saying its "opposition" to the National Song raised constitutional and political reservations.
• The Congress Working Committee, citing its 1937 resolution, had decided to sing only two stanzas (of the total six) of the National Song at party events.
• He remarked the 1937 resolution of the CWC to sing only two stanzas of the National Song was passed by bowing before the "extremist demands of the Muslim League".
• Stating that Parliament is the supreme institution of the country as per the Constitution, he remarked any law passed by it is binding on every individual.
• I believe that the Congress's decision is completely unconstitutional and condemnable, and politically, it has the potential to create a serious crisis going forward.

In practice, the Congress Working Committee, citing its 1937 resolution, had decided to sing only two stanzas (of the total six) of the National Song at party events.

"The Congress formally refusing to respect Vande Mataram, and not merely refusing but directly opposing it, is extremely unfortunate and, from a constitutional perspective, a very serious matter, " Mr. Singh remarked.

Stating that Parliament is the supreme institution of the country as per the Constitution, he remarked any law passed by it is binding on every individual. "If anyone refuses to abide by it, then certainly their allegiance to the Constitution comes under a cloud of suspicion, and if anyone refuses to respect the National Song, then their patriotism too comes under a question mark, " remarked Mr. Singh.

He remarked the 1937 resolution of the CWC to sing only two stanzas of the National Song was passed by bowing before the "extremist demands of the Muslim League". The country, he remarked, subsequently had to suffer its consequences in the form of Partition.

"Compromising before extremist elements has always proved disastrous for the country, and today, when the Congress is surrendering to extremist elements in the same manner, it is a sign of a serious threat to the future of the country, " Mr. Singh remarked.

"I believe that the Congress's decision is completely unconstitutional and condemnable, and politically, it has the potential to create a serious crisis going forward. By opposing Vande Mataram, the Congress has made public before the country its thoughtless and dangerous intentions, " he went on.

Taken together, the developments around cong. Stance on Vande Mataram a very serious issue, says Rajnath point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.