New Delhi, Dec 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the iconic patriotic song ‘Vande Mataram’. The session aims to highlight the song’s historical importance and its lesser-known contributions to India’s freedom struggle.

PM Modi is expected to focus on the pivotal role of the song, which was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and first published on November 7, 1875, in the literary journal Bangadarshan. He will also explore the song’s ongoing relevance in the modern political and cultural context.

The Prime Minister’s remarks are eagerly anticipated, especially after he accused the Congress party last month of “removing important stanzas” from the original version of the song during a 1937 session in Faizabad. Modi stated that this decision played a role in sowing the seeds of Partition, as it dissected the national song and diluted its unity-driven message. In response, the Congress argued that the decision was made based on the advice of Rabindranath Tagore to accommodate the sensitivities of other communities and faiths.

The discussion on ‘Vande Mataram’ will also spill over into the Rajya Sabha, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to initiate a debate on Tuesday.

In the Lok Sabha, the ruling NDA has been allocated three hours out of the total ten hours set aside for the debate. The Opposition is expected to raise concerns about Modi’s remarks and the interpretation of the song’s legacy, making it a potential flashpoint for political friction.

Earlier, ahead of the Winter Session, a political dispute arose when the Rajya Sabha Secretariat reminded MPs to refrain from using expressions like ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jai Hind’ inside Parliament, in the interest of maintaining decorum. This prompted the Opposition to accuse the BJP-led NDA of being uncomfortable with symbols of India’s independence and unity.

The Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to run until December 19, and with such strong differences of opinion over the song, the upcoming discussions are expected to be highly charged and contentious.