New Delhi, 9 January 2026
The Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta, on Friday made a significant statement in the House on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram, describing it as the soul of India’s freedom struggle and a timeless symbol of love and sacrifice for the motherland.
Addressing the House, the Speaker said the discussion was taking place at a moment of great pride and joy. He noted that it has been a long-standing tradition for every session of the Delhi Assembly to begin with the singing of Vande Mataram. However, until now, only the first two stanzas of the song have been sung in accordance with convention.
He pointed out that this year presents an unprecedented and historic opportunity, as the immortal song composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 has completed 150 years. “Vande Mataram is not merely a composition of words. It is the very spirit of our freedom movement, a source of inspiration for millions of patriots, and a powerful expression of deep and unwavering devotion to the motherland,” the Speaker said.
Recalling the role of the song during the freedom struggle, Vijender Gupta said Vande Mataram played a vital role in awakening national consciousness. During the protest against the Partition of Bengal, the song echoed on the lips of the masses. He reminded the House that India’s forefathers sang Vande Mataram while enduring British lathis and bullets, suffering imprisonment, and even embracing the gallows with courage and pride.
Referring to the historic legacy of the Assembly, the Speaker recalled that nearly 112 years ago, the same Assembly hall had witnessed the powerful chanting of Vande Mataram slogans and the passage of the “Simon Commission Go Back” resolution, an event so intense that a British official reportedly collapsed inside the House. He said these moments remain etched in the collective memory of the nation as symbols of resistance and courage.
In view of the 150th anniversary, Vijender Gupta proposed that this year the Delhi Legislative Assembly should sing the complete Vande Mataram, rather than limiting it to only two stanzas. He said this would be a true tribute to the countless freedom fighters who carried the song in their hearts and sacrificed everything for the nation.
The Speaker expressed confidence that the House would unanimously support this proposal and come together to make the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram truly memorable in the history of the Delhi Assembly.
He also directed the Assembly Secretariat to ensure that the full text of Vande Mataram is made available on the desktops and iPads of all Members, so that the entire House can sing the complete song together during the first sitting.
Concluding his statement, Vijender Gupta said that commemorating the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in this historic House would reaffirm the Assembly’s respect for India’s freedom struggle and honour the enduring legacy of the song that inspired generations to fight for independence.
