New Delhi, December 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will spearhead the debate in the Lok Sabha on Monday, marking the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram. The debate is expected to unveil new insights and lesser-known aspects of the iconic song, which holds a significant place in India’s history.

The Lok Sabha has allocated 10 hours for the 'Discussion on the 150th Anniversary of National Song Vande Mataram,' a topic that will see key political figures engaging in dialogue. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is slated to be the second speaker, with Congress leaders including Gaurav Gogoi, the party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expected to contribute to the discussion.

This debate is part of the year-long celebrations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, a patriotic poem penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and later set to music by Jadunath Bhattacharya. Prime Minister Modi had earlier criticized the Congress for altering key stanzas of the song in 1937, a move he linked to sowing the seeds of partition.

On November 7, Modi had inaugurated the year-long celebrations, which aim to engage youth and students in understanding the historical and cultural significance of the song. Officials have indicated that the debate will bring many important and lesser-known details of Vande Mataram to the forefront.

In the Rajya Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah will initiate the discussion on Tuesday, with Health Minister and Leader of the Rajya Sabha J.P. Nadda following as the second speaker.

Alongside the Vande Mataram debate, Lok Sabha will also deliberate on election reforms on Tuesday and Wednesday, which will include discussions on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Rajya Sabha will take up the issue on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Winter session, which began on December 1, witnessed disruptions on the first two days due to opposition protests over the SIR, resulting in multiple adjournments. The Monsoon session of Parliament had also faced similar disruptions, as the opposition demanded a debate on the SIR, which was then underway in Bihar.