20 August,2026 04:36 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondent
Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday criticised the Congress decision to sing only two stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram at party events, calling the move contrary to the Constitution and a reflection of the Opposition party's "mental enslavement".
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Nagpur, Fadnavis also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's upcoming 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Pune, saying that, according to his information, the programme would be attended by students from colleges run by Congress leaders.
He described the event as a "monologue" rather than an open dialogue with students.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision-making body, on Wednesday decided to follow its 1937 resolution under which only two stanzas of Vande Mataram will be sung at party events.
The decision came after the BJP accused Congress leaders of insulting the national song by not singing its full version at party programmes.
Asked about the Congress decision, Fadnavis said it was against the Constitution, arguing that India was no longer under British rule and that decisions taken by Parliament after independence carried constitutional authority.
"And if we do not follow the decision taken by Parliament of independent India, then they will keep alive the tradition of slavery," he said.
"We always used to say this is mental slavery. By this decision, they have presented before us both their mental enslavement and opposition to the Constitution," the BJP leader charged.
Fadnavis also commented on Rahul Gandhi's scheduled visit to Pune on August 22 for the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' initiative, which is aimed at interacting with students.
He said Gandhi's interaction with students was welcome but questioned whether the programme would provide an opportunity for an open exchange of views.
"But we would have felt happy if it had been an open dialogue with all. As per my information, he will be interacting with students registered with colleges run by Congress leaders. But it is alright; they (students) are also ours only," he said.
Fadnavis said the programme would be held in a controlled environment and alleged that the Congress would bring people who already supported its ideology.
"Overall, the programme would be held in a controlled environment," the chief minister noted.
"They'll try to bring people who already subscribe to their ideology. We can call it a 'Chhatron ki Goonj', but along with that, through the Congress leaders who were invited, this is essentially a monologue," he added.
Rahul Gandhi's Pune event is scheduled to be held on August 22 as part of the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' initiative, which focuses on issues concerning students. The programme is expected to include discussions on education, safety, equality, competitive examinations and career opportunities.
Fadnavis's remarks come amid a political dispute between the BJP and Congress over the singing of Vande Mataram and the format of Gandhi's student outreach programme in Pune.
(With inputs from PTI)
