Kangana Ranaut Slams Sharmila Tagore Over Vande Mataram Remarks: ‘Come Out Of Hindu-Muslim Mindset’

Kangana Ranaut has strongly reacted to Sharmila Tagore’s comments on Vande Mataram, disagreeing with the veteran actor’s suggestion that only its first two stanzas should be recited. The remarks have added a fresh Bollywood angle to the ongoing debate over the national song and its religious references.

Tagore had said that the later verses could be difficult for people who believe in one God because they contain references to Hindu deities. She suggested that the first two stanzas would be more acceptable to people across different faiths.

Kangana Ranaut responds to Sharmila Tagore

Reacting on her Instagram Stories, Kangana said she appreciated Tagore for expressing her reservations but questioned her interpretation of poetry. The actor argued that artistic works frequently use metaphor and imagery that need not be taken literally.

Kangana wrote that she was “shocked as an artist” by what she described as Tagore’s “limiting and contrived” view of art and poetry. She argued that Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s composition was meant to awaken a sense of strength and freedom rather than function as a religious text.

She further urged Tagore to “come out of Hindu Muslim mindset” and said people should embrace one another despite differences in faith. Kangana ended her message by affectionately telling Tagore that she would welcome “a crushing hug” from her.

What did Sharmila Tagore say about Vande Mataram?

Sharmila Tagore said she believed only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram should be retained, arguing that the later verses could be difficult for people from monotheistic faiths to recite. Speaking to IANS, she explained that references to multiple Hindu deities may not sit comfortably with those who believe in one God.

Tagore said, “My point of view is that there are many religious people who believe in one single God, not many Gods.” She added that the references to “Vande Kali, Vande Durga” could make the full song difficult for some communities. For that reason, she said the first two stanzas, which focus more directly on the motherland, would be more widely acceptable.

Why Vande Mataram is being debated

The discussion comes after the Congress Working Committee reaffirmed its 1937 position that only the first two stanzas should be sung at party programmes. The BJP and Congress have also clashed over the song’s rendition at Independence Day events.

Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, became closely associated with India’s freedom struggle. Its first two stanzas focus on the motherland while later verses contain references to Hindu goddesses.

Actor Mukesh Khanna has also entered the debate, arguing that Vande Mataram should replace Jana Gana Mana as India’s National Anthem. However, Jana Gana Mana remains the National Anthem, while Vande Mataram holds the status of National Song.