Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a special discussion on Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, launched a sharp attack on Congress and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He said that the Congress leadership, instead of defending the national song, supported a view that led to its fragmentation, calling it a "tukde tukde" moment in Indian history. Modi stated that Jawaharlal Nehru believed Vande Mataram could provoke Muslims, a stance reportedly influenced by Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League. As protests and chants of "shame" echoed in Parliament, the Prime Minister remarked that historical truths must be told to the new generation.

Modi referred to events from 1937 when the Muslim League initiated opposition to Vande Mataram. Instead of resisting, he alleged Congress formed committees to reassess its usage. Modi cited Nehru's letter to Subhash Chandra Bose expressing concerns that the song could irritate certain communities. He said this was a moment of betrayal that diluted the significance of a song that inspired freedom fighters. Modi also linked this to later events, stating that when Vande Mataram turned 100 years old, India was under Emergency and the Constitution itself was strained, marking another dark chapter where voices were suppressed.

The Prime Minister emphasized that 150 years of Vande Mataram offer a chance to revive pride associated with it. Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875, the song became a rallying cry during the freedom struggle and continues to carry cultural significance. The Parliament allotted 10 hours for debates dedicated to the national song in both Houses, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expected to represent the Opposition. Modi concluded that it is time to restore the glory of a song that played a strong role in uniting Indians during the struggle for independence.