Congress, BJP Clash Over Vande Mataram

The Congress and BJP are engaged in a heated debate over the singing of Vande Mataram, with the Congress accusing the BJP of politicizing the issue and the BJP accusing the Congress of disrespecting the national song. Congress leaders have stated that they have been singing Vande Mataram since 1896 and that the BJP, which never fought for the national anthem or constitution, has no right to teach them about patriotism. BJP leaders, however, have accused the Congress of appeasement and insulting the national anthem for vote bank politics.