Delhi Assembly to Sing ‘Vande Mataram’ in Full, Unanimous Decision by Ruling and Opposition Parties

In a significant and symbolic move, the Delhi Legislative Assembly has unanimously decided that the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ will now be sung in its entirety, instead of only two stanzas, at the beginning of every Assembly session. The decision was taken with the consensus of both the ruling party and the opposition during the ongoing Winter Session.

Announcing the decision, Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said that the first sitting of every Assembly session traditionally begins with the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’. “Until now, only two stanzas of the song were sung. However, as the nation marks the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ this year, it is only fitting that the full song is sung in the Delhi Assembly to honour this historic milestone,” he said.

The Speaker also directed the Assembly Secretariat to ensure that the complete lyrics of ‘Vande Mataram’ are made available on the desktops and iPads of all MLAs, enabling members to collectively sing the full song during the first sitting of each session.

CM Rekha Gupta Welcomes the Decision

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed the move, calling it a moment of pride. She remarked that when the song completed 100 years, the country was passing through a dark phase. “At that time, there was an Emergency in the country, and that chapter silenced many voices. Today, we are able to sing ‘Vande Mataram’ with full dignity and pride,” she said.

Agreeing with AAP leader Gopal Rai, the Chief Minister said that the song transcends religion and caste and represents the sacred bond between a mother and her children. However, she added that incidents such as those witnessed at institutions like JNU raise questions and compel deeper reflection on respect for national symbols.

Leaders Across Parties Speak

Initiating the discussion, Education Minister Ashish Sood said that the song had faced suppression at crucial moments in history. “At its 50th year, colonial rule tried to silence it. At its 100th year, authoritarianism attempted to crush it. Today, in its 150th year, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government stands firmly and respectfully in its honour,” he said.

Sood also stated that the discussion was necessary because some leaders elected from Delhi had the audacity to label ‘Vande Mataram’ as a “gimmick” while sitting in Parliament.

Participating in the debate, senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said that ‘Vande Mataram’ lives in every particle of the nation and is on the lips of children across the country. He underlined that the song is deeply ingrained in India’s collective consciousness.

The unanimous decision reflects rare political consensus in the Delhi Assembly and underscores the shared respect for the national song as the country commemorates 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’.