India, Feb. 24 -- The Gujarat Legislative Assembly on February 23, 2026 took up a resolution moved by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to commemorate 150 years since the composition and first publication of 'Vande Mataram', with Patel describing the song as a continuing symbol of devotion to the motherland and national unity, according to a government statement issued after the proceedings.

Speaking in the House in Gandhinagar, Patel said the song, written during the colonial period, should not be viewed as limited to that historical context. He said its words and meaning remain relevant in contemporary India and argued that the composition would "never become outdated".

Patel linked the Assembly resolution to a national-level commemorati...