New Delhi : During the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, the party clarified its long-standing position regarding Vande Mataram. Upholding the decision made in 1937, the Congress resolved that only the first two stanzas of the national song would be sung at party events. Additionally, a significant decision was reached regarding the issue of Ram Mandir donation misappropriation, with a strategy formulated to take the matter to the grassroots level across the country.

According to sources, the issue of Vande Mataram was discussed during the CWC meeting, where several leaders reiterated the stance adopted by the party in 1937. The Congress stated that its decision is based on a resolution passed by the CWC in October 1937, at which time the party had decided to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at national gatherings.

Following the CWC meeting, Congress General Secretary (Organization) K.C. Venugopal described the issue of alleged misappropriation of Ram Mandir donations as a matter of serious concern, noting that it involves the sentiments of the people. He remarked that those who used the Ram Mandir issue to polarize the public have now been fully exposed. Venugopal stated that the Congress would take this issue to the grassroots level; State Congress Committees have been instructed to raise the matter at the village and panchayat levels. He added that the CWC has directed State Congress Committees to organize nationwide protests regarding the Ram Mandir donation issue.

The CWC meeting, held at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi, was presided over by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Several senior leaders attended the meeting, including former party presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, and K.C. Venugopal. Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal informed the press that 88 leaders participated in the meeting, with 33 contributing to the discussion. The meeting was attended by CWC members, permanent and special invitees, and four Congress Chief Ministers. In addition to senior leaders, Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states also attended the CWC meeting. These included Telangana’s A. Revanth Reddy, Kerala’s V.D. Satheesan, Himachal Pradesh’s Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and Karnataka’s D.K. Shivakumar.

Venugopal stated that the meeting included discussions on paper leaks and the nationwide protests held against them. He noted that the CWC also deliberated on the manner in which the government handled these protests. He claimed that the opposition was successful during the Parliament’s monsoon session and that the government remained under pressure.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has asked Chief Ministers of party-ruled states to collaborate with education experts. The objective is to prepare a roadmap for comprehensive changes to the education and examination systems. The Chief Ministers have been asked to prepare a report in this regard and submit it to Kharge. The Congress has decided to continue Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ (Voice of Students) program; according to the party, such events will now be organized in 800 cities, with Rahul Gandhi personally leading some of them.

The issue of ‘Chinese incursion’ in Arunachal Pradesh was also discussed during the CWC meeting. The Congress alleged that the government is adopting a ‘policy of surrender’ regarding this matter. The party has also incorporated this issue into its political campaign against the government.

Venugopal stated that the Congress reiterated its stance on women’s reservation during the CWC meeting. The party demands that reservation for women be implemented based on the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the nation regarding the alleged ‘purification’ ritual performed after Kharge’s event in Uttarakhand.

K.C. Venugopal questioned the government regarding the absence of an OBC column in the caste census questionnaire. He noted that the Congress has previously discussed this issue and that the party president has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about it. Venugopal stated that the Congress is deeply concerned about this matter and seeks a clear response from the government regarding the entire issue.

Venugopal alleged that the absence of a separate column for OBCs raises questions about the government’s intentions. He remarked that this suggests the government aims to derail the caste census itself. The Congress General Secretary asserted that the central government and the Prime Minister must clarify their position on the matter. He questioned why such a situation is being created regarding the caste census and added that the Congress would raise this issue once again.

Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)