New Delhi— The lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, will conduct a special discussion on December 8 to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram. The debate is expected to highlight several important and lesser-known historical aspects of India’s iconic national song.
According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open the discussion at 12 noon on Monday, formally beginning the session. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address the House at the conclusion of the debate.
The BJP-led NDA government has been allocated three hours to participate in the proceedings. A total of 10 hours has been reserved for the full debate, which will continue in the Rajya Sabha on December 9. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will initiate the discussion in the Upper House.
The discussions are part of Parliament’s special focus on commemorating the 150-year legacy of Vande Mataram. Eight members from the Indian National Congress—including Gaurav Gogoi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Deepender Hooda, Bimol Akoijam, Praniti Shinde, Prashant Padole, Chamala Reddy and Jyotsna Mahant—will speak during the Lok Sabha debate.
The Winter Session of Parliament began on December 1 and is scheduled to continue until December 19.
The 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, meaning “Mother, I Bow to Thee,” was observed on November 7. The song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, first appeared in the literary journal Bangadarshan on November 7, 1875, before being included in his celebrated novel Anandamath in 1882. It was later set to music by Rabindranath Tagore and went on to become a symbol of India’s cultural and nationalist consciousness.
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the year-long commemoration programme on November 7 in New Delhi. Speaking at the event, he described Vande Mataram as more than a phrase—calling it a “mantra, an energy, a dream, and a solemn resolve.” He said the hymn reflects deep devotion to “Maa Bharati” and connects citizens with the nation’s history while inspiring confidence and courage for the future.
