Vande Mataram elevated above national anthem in official protocol

The Modi government amended official protocol to place Vande Mataram above the national anthem, a major Hindutva policy move. A new analysis provides historical context: Gandhi and Tagore objected to the song, and the Constituent Assembly had a consensus against elevating it. The decision overturns that consensus, sparking strong opposition from Tamil Nadu and Kerala and adding to center-state tensions. Today: the issue has turned into a BJP vs Congress battle over patriotism and loyalty, with BJP using it as a loyalty test.