BJP calls Sharmila Tagore’s Vande Mataram remarks anti-national

BJP leaders have attacked veteran actor Sharmila Tagore for her remarks on the national song Vande Mataram. BJP MP Abhijit Ganguly called her position 'anti-national', while West Bengal minister Indranil Khan said the country does not need to learn patriotism from those who insult the national song. Tagore had said the song should be considered from the perspective of people from monotheistic faiths who may have objections to parts of it.

The controversy comes as the BJP passed a 10-point resolution vowing to uphold the full rendition of Vande Mataram and condemn any attempt to restrict it. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor clarified the party will stick to its 1937 practice of singing only two stanzas at party events, but will stand for the full song at national functions. The BJP rejected the Congress position as vote-bank politics and said it will launch a nationwide awareness campaign.