This year, marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, it would be of interest to revisit the parliamentary history of the national song of the nation. Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the late 19th century, became one of the most stirring expressions of patriotism during the freedom struggle. Its vision of the motherland as a source of strength, nourishment and moral purpose created a shared emotional vocabulary for courage and sacrifice.

Before Independence, it travelled from public meetings and marches into formal political spaces. In 1937, when Congress ministries took office in several provinces, Vande Mataram began to be sung inside legislative chambers. This marked one of the earliest moments when a symbol of the national movement entered the institutions of governance.

The relationship between Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram was clarified on January 24, 1950 during the final session of........

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