PM Modi to kick off Parliament debate on ‘Vande Mataram’ today

By Admin

08 Dec, 2025

The winter session of Parliament is set for a historic moment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today launch the much-anticipated debate marking 150 years of India’s national song, “Vande Mataram.” The discussion, scheduled for eight hours in the Lok Sabha, forms a central part of the year-long celebrations commemorating the iconic song written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and tuned by Jadunath Bhattacharya.

This special debate is a tribute to the legacy and cultural impact of “Vande Mataram,” a song that fuelled India’s freedom struggle and continues to inspire generations. According to officials familiar with the preparations, the PM’s opening address will set the tone for marathon discussions through the second week of the winter session. On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will open the debate in the Rajya Sabha.

Leaders across parties are expected to participate, making the discussion a multi-dimensional reflection on the historical, political, and emotional significance of the national song. From the Trinamool Congress, MPs Mahua Moitra and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar will speak in the Lok Sabha, while Sukhendu S Roy and Ritabrata Banerjee will address the Rajya Sabha. A senior TMC leader noted that all TMC MPs are set to speak in Bengali to add cultural depth to the discussion.

On the Opposition front, Congress has nominated Gaurav Gogoi as its Lok Sabha speaker for the debate, while party president Mallikarjun Kharge will be the main voice in the Rajya Sabha. The discussion is likely to be politically charged, especially after PM Modi’s recent criticism of Congress for allegedly removing key stanzas from “Vande Mataram” in 1937, accusing the party of “sowing the seeds of partition.” Earlier, on November 7, Modi inaugurated the year-long 150th-year celebration aimed particularly at youth and students to enhance understanding of the song’s historical relevance.

Beyond the tribute to “Vande Mataram,” Parliament will also shift attention to a major debate on election reforms. On Tuesday, the Lok Sabha will take up discussions on the contentious issue covering topics such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to speak on these reforms, while the Rajya Sabha will continue the debate on Wednesday.

The decision to hold these back-to-back discussions follows last week’s breakthrough agreement between the government and the Opposition to address the Special Intensive Review of electoral rolls. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the schedule after an All-Party meeting, stating that the Lok Sabha will begin the “Vande Mataram” debate at noon on December 8, followed by election reforms on December 9.

As the nation watches, today’s debate promises not only a deep dive into the legacy of India’s national song but also a rare moment of convergence in Parliament honouring history while shaping the democratic future.