India marks 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’; Amit Shah calls it the voice of the nation’s soul

Home Minister Amit Shah says ‘Vande Mataram’ still fuels unity and patriotism among Indians as the nation begins a year-long celebration of the song’s 150th anniversary.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday (November 7, 2025) said that the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ continues to kindle the spirit of nationalism and pride among Indians even after 150 years of its creation.

In a message posted on X, Mr. Shah said the song is not just a collection of words but represents the very soul of India. “Against the British rule, ‘Vande Mataram’ united the nation and strengthened the consciousness of freedom. It awakened in the revolutionaries an unwavering dedication, pride, and spirit of sacrifice for the motherland,” he said.

‘वंदे मातरम्’ केवल शब्दों का संग्रह नहीं, भारत की आत्मा का स्वर है। अंग्रेजी हुकूमत के विरुद्ध ‘वंदे मातरम्’ ने देश को संगठित करके आजादी की चेतना को बल दिया। साथ ही, क्रांतिकारियों के मन में मातृभूमि के प्रति अटूट समर्पण, गर्व और बलिदान की भावना जगाई।

‘वंदे मातरम्’ देशवासियों के…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 7, 2025

The Home Minister said that ‘Vande Mataram’ continues to serve as a source of unity, patriotism, and renewed energy, especially among the youth. He urged citizens to commemorate the 150th anniversary by singing the full version of the song with their families, so that it remains a source of inspiration for future generations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the year-long celebrations at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Friday. As part of the event, he will also release a commemorative stamp and coin dedicated to the national song.

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The programme marks the formal launch of a nationwide commemoration of the hymn that played a vital role in India’s freedom movement and continues to evoke a strong sense of pride and unity across the country.

‘Vande Mataram’ was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and first published in the literary journal Bangadarshan on November 7, 1875. Later, Chatterjee included the hymn in his celebrated novel Anandamath, published in 1882. The song was set to music by Rabindranath Tagore and has since become deeply rooted in India’s civilisational, political, and cultural identity.