Sushmita Dev backs re-inclusion of ‘Vande Mataram’ verses, cites Nehru-era decision

Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev on July 30 defended the re-inclusion of two verses of Vande Mataram that were earlier excluded, saying secularism requires equal respect for all religions.

Reacting to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Dev said objections had earlier been raised to certain verses of the national song because they referred to Goddess Durga, with some groups arguing that they did not worship her.

She said that then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress leadership had accepted the demand to remove the two verses at the time.

“However, if one truly claims to be secular—as the BJP manifesto states—then one must respect every religion,” Dev said.

The Rajya Sabha MP added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken the step to restore the two verses that had earlier been removed.

Her remarks came amid a political debate over the amendment Bill, which seeks to bring Vande Mataram under the legal framework governing offences related to the disrespect of national symbols.