The Four Stanzas of Vande Mataram

(Comprehensive Analysis for CLAT 2026 Aspirants | CLAT Gurukul)

Introduction

Few cultural symbols in India evoke as much emotional resonance and political contestation as Vande Mataram. Written in the late nineteenth century during colonial rule, the song emerged as a rallying cry of anti-British resistance. Yet, more than a century later, debates over its religious imagery, constitutional status, and official protocol continue to surface in public discourse.

A recent directive of the Union Government regarding the singing of Vande Mataram at official functions has reignited discussion over whether the full six stanzas should be rendered or whether the established practice of singing only selected portions should continue. This renewed debate has brought back into focus a historical compromise reached during the freedom struggle — one that sought to balance nationalist fervour with religious pluralism.

For CLAT aspirants, this issue is not merely cultural. It sits at the intersection of constitutional values, secularism, freedom of expression, minority rights, and political history. It is therefore highly relevant under CLAT Current affairs 2026 and Current Affairs 2026, especially for students preparing through the best online coaching for CLAT and online coaching for CLAT platforms.

Why in News

The matter has resurfaced due to:

1. A recent directive by the Centre regarding the singing of Vande Mataram during official functions.
2. Clarification about protocols relating to the National Song.
3. Objections raised by certain Muslim organisations concerning specific stanzas.
4. Parliamentary debate marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
5. Political exchanges referencing historical decisions of leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

This development has revived an old but significant question:
Why are only selected stanzas of Vande Mataram sung officially, and what are the constitutional and political implications of that decision?

Point-wise Summary of the Article

1. The Central Directive

• The Centre recently notified protocols concerning the singing of Vande Mataram at official functions.
• It stated that:
  • The full version lasts approximately three minutes.
  • It may be played before Jana Gana Mana when both are performed at official functions.
  • The audience must stand in attention.
• Traditionally, however, only the first two stanzas have been sung at public functions.
• The remaining stanzas have often been omitted due to religious imagery that has historically been a source of contention.

2. Composition and Literary Background

• Vande Mataram was written in Sanskritised Bengali by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875.
• It was later included in his novel Anandamath.
• The novel was set in the late-18th-century Sanyasi Rebellion, a series of armed uprisings against the East India Company and local rulers.
• The song means “I bow to thee, Mother” and personifies India as a motherland.

3. Role in the Freedom Movement

• Vande Mataram became a powerful slogan during:
  • The Swadeshi Movement (1905)
  • Anti-colonial protests
• It became closely associated with nationalist mobilisation.
• The Constituent Assembly later accorded it equal respect alongside the National Anthem.
• However, unlike the anthem, it does not carry compulsory legal etiquette regarding posture or recitation.

4. Religious Imagery and Objections

The controversy primarily concerns the later stanzas.

Content of Later Stanzas:

• The fourth stanza describes the motherland’s image carved in temples.
• The fifth stanza invokes the motherland as goddess Durga.
• The sixth stanza links the motherland to Lakshmi and Saraswati.

Objections Raised:

• Muslim scholars argue that:
  • The depiction of “Mother India” as a goddess violates strict Islamic monotheism.
  • Worship of any entity other than Allah is prohibited in Islamic theology.
• The invocation of Hindu deities has thus been viewed as incompatible with Islamic belief systems.

5. Muslim Organisations’ Response

Certain organisations, including:

• Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind
• All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)

have:

• Condemned directives perceived as mandating recitation.
• Argued that forcing participation may violate freedom of religion.
• Maintained that secularism requires accommodation of religious conscience.

6. Historical Political Context

Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s Position (1937)

• In 1937, Jinnah objected to the full song.
• He argued that parts of Anandamath were offensive to Muslims.
• He insisted on truncation or reconsideration.

Jawaharlal Nehru’s Response

• Nehru wrote to Subhas Chandra Bose explaining that:
  • Certain portions might irritate Muslims.
  • Only selected stanzas should be sung.
• The Congress Working Committee ultimately decided:
  • To retain only the first two stanzas for official purposes.

7. Parliamentary Debate (150 Years of Vande Mataram)

• Parliament debated the historical legacy of the song.
• The Prime Minister criticised Jawaharlal Nehru’s role in truncation.
• Opposition leaders cited historical correspondence to contextualise the compromise.
• Priyanka Gandhi referenced Nehru’s letter defending national unity over communal polarisation.

This indicates that the debate is not purely theological but deeply political.

Legal and Constitutional Dimensions (CLAT Perspective)

1. Freedom of Expression – Article 19(1)(a)

• Citizens have the right not only to speak but also not to speak.
• Compulsory recitation raises constitutional questions.

2. Freedom of Religion – Article 25

• Protects freedom of conscience.
• Forcing recitation of verses invoking deities may conflict with religious beliefs.

3. Secularism as Basic Structure

• The State must remain neutral among religions.
• Cultural symbols must not become instruments of coercion.

4. Judicial Precedent

In Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986):

• The Supreme Court held that students belonging to Jehovah’s Witnesses could not be forced to sing the National Anthem if it violated their faith.
• The judgment affirmed:
  • Constitutional protection of minority conscience
  • Patriotism cannot be coerced

This case is directly relevant for CLAT legal reasoning.

Cultural and Political Significance

• Vande Mataram symbolises anti-colonial struggle.
• It also symbolises:
  • The challenge of reconciling nationalism with pluralism.
• The truncation reflects:
  • A negotiated settlement during the freedom struggle.
  • A recognition that inclusive nationalism requires accommodation.

Key Conceptual Themes for CLAT 2026

1. Nationalism vs Secularism
2. Majority sentiment vs Minority rights
3. Symbolism vs Constitutional morality
4. Historical compromise in nation-building
5. Political appropriation of cultural symbols

This issue is high-probability under CLAT Current affairs 2026 for:

• Legal Reasoning passages
• Opinion-based GK questions
• Analytical essays

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding the four (or six) stanzas of Vande Mataram demonstrates that national symbols are not static artefacts; they evolve within political, social, and constitutional frameworks. The decision to officially sing only the first two stanzas was not an act of dilution, but an attempt at inclusive nation-building during a fragile historical moment.

The renewed debate invites students to reflect on a deeper question:
Can patriotism be made compulsory in a constitutional democracy?

For aspirants preparing through structured platforms offering the best online coaching for CLAT and online coaching for CLAT, this topic provides an excellent opportunity to integrate history, polity, constitutional law, and ethics under Current Affairs 2026.

Notes: Explanation of Peculiar Terms

• Sanyasi Rebellion: 18th-century uprisings in Bengal against the East India Company.
• Monotheism: Belief in one God.
• AIMPLB: All India Muslim Personal Law Board, representing Muslim legal interests.
• Secularism (Indian Model): Equal respect and state neutrality toward all religions.
• Constitutional Morality: Adherence to constitutional principles over majoritarian impulses.
• National Song vs National Anthem: The National Anthem has constitutional protocol; the National Song has symbolic recognition without mandatory etiquette.
• Basic Structure Doctrine: Supreme Court principle that certain constitutional features cannot be altered by Parliament.