PM Modi Claims Removal of Verses from Vande Mataram Led to India's Partition: A Historical Analysis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed on Friday that the removal of "significant verses" from the national song 'Vande Mataram' in 1937 ultimately led to India's partition.

Speaking at an event commemorating 150 years of the National Song 'Vande Mataram', PM Modi asserted that "the same divisive mindset" continues to pose a significant challenge to the nation today.

"In 1937, significant verses of 'Vande Mataram', which embodied the very essence of its spirit, were removed. Stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' were broken up. This removal planted the seeds for the country's eventual partition. Today's generation must understand why such injustice was committed against this great mantra of nation-building. That same divisive mindset continues to pose a major challenge for the nation even today," the Prime Minister stated.

PM Modi emphasized that Vande Mataram has achieved "immortality" and remains relevant in contemporary times. He highlighted the song's crucial role in India's freedom struggle, noting that it served as a rallying cry for revolutionaries and symbolized national pride.

"We must make this century India's century. This capability exists within India and within 140 crore Indians. For this to happen, we must believe in ourselves," he added.

The Prime Minister also underlined India's unique perspective of viewing the nation as a mother figure, referring to the country's ancient Vedic traditions. He stressed the importance of recognizing the nation as a nurturing and protective force while praising women's contributions to nation-building.

These remarks follow BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan's accusation that the Congress party deliberately altered the national song Vande Mataram. Kesavan claimed that stanzas praising Goddess Durga were removed in 1937 under Jawaharlal Nehru's leadership, allegedly to appease certain communal groups.

In a post on social media platform X, Kesavan alleged that only the first two stanzas were accepted by the Congress, omitting later verses invoking Goddess Maa Durga due to communal considerations.

The Prime Minister further stated that the Vande Bharat song has achieved "immortality" and remains relevant across different eras.

"Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore once said that Bankim Chandra's 'Anandmath' is not merely a novel but a vision of an independent India. Every word written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee carried profound meaning. Though created during times of colonial rule, this song transcends that period. The Vande Bharat song holds relevance in every era and has attained immortality. Just a few centuries ago, India held one-fourth share of global GDP," he said.

"When Bankim Babu published 'Vande Mataram' in 'Bang Darshan' in 1875, some viewed it as just a song. However, it quickly became the voice of India's freedom struggle—a voice echoed by every revolutionary and expressing the emotions of every Indian! Freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar, when meeting fellow patriots outside India, always greeted each other with Vande Mataram. Many revolutionaries proclaimed Vande Mataram even while standing on the gallows," the PM added.

PM Modi emphasized that in India, the nation is conceptualized as a mother figure—one who creates, nurtures, and when necessary, becomes a destroyer to protect her children.

"For those who view the nation merely as a geopolitical entity, the concept of seeing the nation as a mother might seem unusual. But India stands apart; in India, the mother is both creator and nurturer. When her child faces crisis, she also becomes the 'destroyer.' Our Vedas have taught us that the nation is our mother and we are her children. We have worshipped our nation in this form since Vedic times. The notion of a nation as mother might surprise those who perceive nations only as geopolitical entities. But India differs in this regard. Here, a nation also gives birth and nurtures. She transforms into a destroyer when her children face danger. Because of this emotional connection of viewing the nation as mother and a form of Shakti, women have been at the forefront of nation-building," the PM concluded.