'Jana Gana Mana Composed To Welcome British': BJP MP Sparks Row, Congress Reacts

'Jana Gana Mana Composed To Welcome British': BJP MP Sparks Row, Congress Reacts

BJP MP and former Karnataka Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri on Thursday sparked a massive row after he mistakenly claimed that India's national anthem — Jana Gana Mana — was written to welcome the British and that there was a chorus to make Vande Mataram the national anthem.

Speaking at the Rashtriya Ekta Nadige event in Honnavar in Karwar, Kageri said he doesn't want to revisit history. “But there was a strong chorus to make Vande Mataram the national anthem. However, our ancestors decided that along with Vande Mataram, Jana Gana Mana, which was composed to welcome the British, should also be included. Today, we have accepted it and continue to follow it."

“But the contribution of Vande Mataram to India's freedom struggle remains a great source of inspiration. As we mark its 150th year, we must ensure that Vande Mataram is sung by everyone, especially the youth in schools and colleges across the country," he said.

His remarks soon attracted Congress's criticism with Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge calling it a “WhatsApp history lesson" and “utter nonsense".

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP leader for his remarks on the national anthem, Kharge took to X and wrote, “Another day, another RSS ‘WhatsApp history' lesson. Karnataka BJP MP Sri Kageri now claims our National Anthem is ‘British'. Utter Nonsense. Sri Tagore wrote the hymn Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata in 1911; its first stanza became Jana Gana Mana. It was first sung on 27 Dec 1911 at the Indian National Congress in Calcutta – not as a royal tribute."

“Tagore also clarified in 1937 & 1939 that it hails the ‘Dispenser of India's destiny,' and ‘could never be George V, George VI, or any other George," Kharge said.

Another day, another RSS “WhatsApp history" lesson.@BJP4Karnataka MP Sri. Kageri now claims our National Anthem is “British."Utter Nonsense.

•Sri. Tagore wrote the hymn Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata in 1911; its first stanza became Jana Gana Mana.

•it was first sung on 27 Dec… pic.twitter.com/oimSw8IQvl

— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) November 6, 2025

“The MP says he doesn't want to revisit history. But, I strongly urge every BJP, RSS leader, worker and ‘swayamsevak' should revisit history by reading the editorials of @RSSorg mouthpiece Organizer and know that RSS has a great tradition of disrespecting the Constitution, the Tricolour and the National Anthem. This viRSS needs to be cured," the Congress leader said.

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Meanwhile, the government is celebrating 150 Years of the National Song “Vande Mataram" and have organise the Inaugural Ceremony of the Commemoration of the song on November 7, 2025 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. The occasion will be graced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Chief Guest.

This event marks the formal launch of a year-long nationwide commemoration from November 7, 2025 to November 7, 2026, celebrating 150 years of this timeless composition which inspired India's freedom movement and continues to evoke national pride and unity.

Source: News18
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