PM Modi to Open Lok Sabha Debate on 150 Years of

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a major debate in the Lok Sabha on Monday to mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram , the national song that played a defining role in India’s freedom struggle. The Lok Sabha has earmarked 10 hours for the discussion, making it one of the key highlights of the ongoing Winter Session.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will speak after the prime minister. From the opposition, Congress has decided to field Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to present its perspective during the debate.

This discussion comes amid year-long nationwide celebrations launched by Prime Minister Modi on November 7 to commemorate 150 years of Vande Mataram . As part of these initiatives, the government has released a commemorative stamp and coin, launched a dedicated website titled “vandemataram150.in” , organised mass singing events across institutions, and directed schools under CBSE to hold essay competitions, exhibitions, concerts and recitations to spread awareness about the song’s historical significance. Several states and government departments are also conducting public programmes, exhibitions and cultural events to mark the occasion.

The Centre has said the celebrations aim especially at involving youth and students, reinforcing the emotional and cultural legacy of the song and highlighting its role in inspiring India’s freedom fighters.

Prime Minister Modi has also recently criticised the Congress for allegedly removing key stanzas from the original composition in 1937, accusing it of sowing seeds of division during the pre-Independence political climate.

On Tuesday, Home Minister Amit Shah will initiate a parallel debate on the subject in the Rajya Sabha, where Health Minister J.P. Nadda will be the second speaker.

Alongside the Vande Mataram debate, Parliament will also take up an extensive discussion on election reforms later this week, covering issues related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a process that has led to repeated disruptions in the first two days of the session.

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee: The Mind Behind

Vande Mataram

Vande Mataram was written in 1875 by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee , one of Bengal’s most influential literary figures and a pioneer of modern Indian literature. Originally included in his novel Anandamath , the song quickly became a powerful rallying cry for nationalist movements. Composed in highly poetic Sanskrit, it evokes the image of the motherland as divine, symbolising strength, sacrifice and unity. Its resonance during the freedom movement was so profound that it was adopted as India’s national song.