PM Modi to Open Parliamentary Debate Marking 150 Years of Vande Mataram

New Delhi | December 8, 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today lead a major discussion in Parliament to mark 150 years of India’s national song, Vande Mataram. The special debate, scheduled during the second week of the winter session, is expected to run for eight hours and will highlight the history, cultural value, and legacy of the song written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 and later set to tune by Jadunath Bhattacharya. The debate is part of a year-long national celebration that began last month. Officials involved in planning the event said the aim is to bring out lesser-known stories connected to Vande Mataram and help people, especially the youth, understand why the song became such a powerful part of India’s freedom movement. The Prime Minister will speak in the Lok Sabha to start the discussion, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah will open the debate in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Political parties across the spectrum are preparing their speakers for this important session. From the Trinamool Congress, MPs Mahua Moitra and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar will address the Lok Sabha, while Sukhendu S Roy and Ritabrata Banerjee will speak in the Rajya Sabha. Party leaders said they would highlight Bengal’s deep connection to the origin of the song and its lasting influence. The Congress has nominated Gaurav Gogoi as its main speaker in the Lok Sabha, while party president Mallikarjun Kharge will lead the Opposition’s arguments in the Rajya Sabha. Their participation signals a rare moment of agreement between the government and the Opposition after several days of disruptions in the winter session. Recently, PM Modi criticised the Congress over decisions made in 1937 regarding certain stanzas of the national song, accusing the party of weakening its spirit at a crucial time in history. On November 7, he launched the official celebrations marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, calling on students and young citizens to engage with the song’s message and understand its role in shaping national unity. Alongside the special discussion on Vande Mataram, Parliament is also preparing for a debate on election reforms. This session, scheduled for Tuesday in the Lok Sabha, will cover issues related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to present the Opposition’s views during this debate. The Rajya Sabha will take up the same topic on Wednesday. These back-to-back discussions follow a rare agreement reached last week between the government and the Opposition. After two days of disruptions in the winter session, both sides consented to take up the debate on electoral roll revisions and the Vande Mataram anniversary, providing a hopeful sign for smoother functioning of Parliament. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the schedule after an all-party meeting chaired by the Speaker. He noted that the discussion on the national song will begin at noon today, while the debate on election reforms will start at noon on Tuesday. As Parliament gathers for this significant moment, the spotlight remains on how leaders across parties frame the meaning of Vande Mataram for today’s India. The debate is expected to bring together history, politics, culture, and national identity—making it one of the most anticipated discussions of the PM Modi to Open Parliamentary Debate Marking 150 Years of Vande Mataram Today marks a special moment in Parliament as PM Narendra Modi is all set to begin the big debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The discussion will run for hours and focus on the song’s journey, its history, and why it still matters so much to the country. Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and tuned by Jadunath Bhattacharya, Vande Mataram has been a symbol of unity and courage for generations, and this year-long celebration aims to remind the nation of its lasting power. The Prime Minister will open the debate in the Lok Sabha, while Home Minister Amit Shah will lead it in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow. Leaders from all major political parties will take part. MPs from the Trinamool Congress and Congress are also preparing to speak, bringing their perspectives and stories, especially from Bengal, where the song was born. This event also follows a rare moment of agreement between the government and the Opposition after days of disruptions in the winter session. Both sides came together to schedule this debate, along with another major discussion on election reforms that will take place tomorrow. Rahul Gandhi will be speaking on behalf of the Opposition during that session. PM Modi recently reminded the nation of the importance of Vande Mataram and how deeply it shaped India’s freedom movement. By starting this debate, the government hopes to help young people learn more about the song and understand its role in India’s history. As Parliament prepares for this meaningful discussion, the focus is not just on politics but on the emotional and cultural value of a song that has stayed close to India’s heart for 150 years.