BJP Passes Resolution on Vande Mataram and Launches Youth Outreach

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) passed a 10 point resolution on Saturday, August 22, 2026, criticizing the Congress party for restricting the singing of Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at party events. The resolution rejects the Congress Working Committee's decision to reaffirm a 1937 resolution on the matter, with the BJP arguing that the national song should not be subjected to communal pressure or vote bank politics. The BJP intends to launch a nationwide campaign to educate the public, particularly the youth, on the history and significance of the full six stanza composition. This follows a 2026 parliamentary amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, which extended statutory protection to the National Song equivalent to that of the National Anthem.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge rejected the BJP's allegations, stating that the practice of singing two stanzas was decided by national leaders including Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel. He accused the BJP of engaging in the politics of polarization. MP Shashi Tharoor added that while Congress follows this practice at party functions, members will stand for the entire song at national or government functions.

Simultaneously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the BJP's new team of national office bearers. During the meeting, the Prime Minister urged the team to intensify outreach to the younger generation. The party decided to form a specific team for a nationwide Gen Z outreach programme to understand the aspirations of young people. Additionally, the BJP announced a month long programme from September 17 to October 17 to mark the Prime Minister's birthday and his 25th anniversary as Gujarat Chief Minister. This campaign, known as Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, will include service oriented initiatives and block level camps to help citizens enroll in government welfare schemes.