Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday initiated a special discussion on the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha. He described Vande Mataram as a “mantra” and a slogan that energised and guided India’s freedom struggle, and inspired Indians to attain freedom in 1947.
Addressing the Lower House, the Prime Minister said the milestone marks a historic moment for the country, coming at a time when several major national anniversaries are being observed. “Vande Mataram is a mantra, a slogan which gave energy, inspiration, and showed the path for sacrifice and penance to the freedom movement,” PM Modi said.
Highlighting the series of significant commemorations in recent years, he noted, “We recently celebrated 75 years of our Constitution. The country is celebrating the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Patel and Birsa Munda. We are also celebrating the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur ji. Now we are celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram.”
“Vande Mataram was written at a time when British rulers were trying to take their anthem ‘God Save the Queen’ to every household,” PM Modi said. He added that it was a matter of pride for the nation to witness 150 years of the song that shaped India’s collective consciousness during the struggle for independence.
Reflecting on the political context during previous anniversaries of the song, the Prime Minister pointed out that both the 50-year and 100-year milestones came during turbulent periods in India’s history.
“When Vande Mataram completed 50 years, India was under British rule. When it completed 100 years, India was in the clutches of Emergency… At that time, patriots were imprisoned. When the song that inspired our freedom movement was completing a century, the country was witnessing a dark phase,” he said.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, “… When Vande Mataram completed 50 years, India was under British rule. When Vande Mataram completed 100 years, India was in the clutches of Emergency… At that time, the patriots were imprisoned. When the song that inspired our freedom… pic.twitter.com/Kww4ewc6wM
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2025
Calling the 150-year celebration an opportunity to “reclaim pride” in India’s past, he added, “This song inspired us to attain freedom in 1947. Marking 150 years of Vande Mataram is an opportunity to reinstate that pride and reconnect with that glorious chapter.”
