Mukesh Khanna calls for 'Vande Mataram' to replace Jana Gana Mana
Synopsis
Mukesh Khanna wants 'Jana Gana Mana' scrapped and 'Vande Mataram' installed as India's National Anthem — invoking a disputed claim that Tagore wrote the former as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth. Historians have long rejected this reading, and the Constituent Assembly's 1950 decision was deliberate. Khanna says he has already recorded a seven-minute version he hopes becomes iconic.
Key Takeaways
Mukesh Khanna called for 'Vande Mataram' to replace 'Jana Gana Mana' as India's National Anthem on 16 August .
He claimed Rabindranath Tagore composed 'Jana Gana Mana' as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth — a claim disputed by historians. 'Jana Gana Mana' was adopted as the National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950 .
Khanna said he has produced a seven-minute recording of 'Vande Mataram' which he wants to become the official anthem.
No government ministry or political party has formally responded to his demand.
Actor Mukesh Khanna has sparked fresh controversy by demanding that 'Vande Mataram' replace 'Jana Gana Mana' as India's National Anthem, claiming the latter was composed as a tribute to the British Crown. The remarks, made on Sunday, 16 August, have reignited a long-running debate over the cultural and historical status of India's two patriotic hymns.
What Khanna Said
Speaking to reporters, Khanna alleged that Rabindranath Tagore wrote 'Jana Gana Mana' in praise of Queen Elizabeth, a claim that historians have repeatedly contested. He stated: 'Jana Gana Mana' is not the national anthem of our country. It is a tribute to Queen Elizabeth. Rabindranath Tagore wrote a song in praise of her. We have accepted it. Bhagyavidhata, Punjab, Singh — it is not ours. Vande Mataram is ours.
Khanna also referenced a seven-minute recording of 'Vande Mataram' he has produced, which he hopes will become iconic. He added that he first made this call three years ago and expressed satisfaction that the song is gaining institutional prominence, noting it is now reportedly compulsory in schools and public functions.
Claims About Government Direction
Khanna asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already begun moving in this direction, citing the mandatory singing of 'Vande Mataram' in schools and official events. He claimed the full version of the song — parts of which he said were dropped over the years — is being restored. No official government statement has confirmed any intent to change the National Anthem.
Historical Context and the Tagore Controversy
The claim that 'Jana Gana Mana' was composed to honour British royalty is not new, but it is disputed by historians and Tagore scholars. The song was first sung at the Indian National Congress session in Calcutta in December 1911 and was adopted as the National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950. Tagore himself, in correspondence cited by scholars, denied that the song was composed in honour of King George V, who visited India that year.
Notably, 'Vande Mataram' — composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay — holds the status of India's National Song, not Anthem. The distinction was deliberate, reflecting the Constituent Assembly's careful balancing of the country's plural composition.
A Pattern of Provocative Statements
This is not the first time Khanna, best known for portraying the superhero Shaktimaan in the popular 1990s television series, has courted controversy. He recently clashed publicly with comedian Samay Raina after Raina referenced Shaktimaan in his show 'Still Alive'. Khanna posted a sharp rebuke on X (formerly Twitter), calling Raina a 'Kutte ki dum' (dog's tail) and suggesting he ride a donkey — before the two unexpectedly collaborated on an advertisement shortly after.
As debate over his latest remarks grows, no political party or government ministry has formally responded to his call to replace the National Anthem.
Point of View
Yet it persists because it taps into a broader anxiety about colonial inheritance. What mainstream coverage misses is the institutional asymmetry: 'Vande Mataram' already holds official status as the National Song, and its growing mandatory presence in schools represents a real policy shift that deserves scrutiny on its own terms, separate from Khanna's theatrics.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mukesh Khanna say about the National Anthem?
Mukesh Khanna called for 'Jana Gana Mana' to be replaced by 'Vande Mataram' as India's National Anthem, claiming Rabindranath Tagore wrote the former as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth. He said he first made this demand three years ago and has since recorded a seven-minute version of 'Vande Mataram' he hopes will become iconic.
Is the claim that 'Jana Gana Mana' was written for Queen Elizabeth accurate?
Historians and Tagore scholars have repeatedly disputed this claim. 'Jana Gana Mana' was first performed at the Indian National Congress session in Calcutta in December 1911, and Tagore himself denied in correspondence that it was composed in honour of British royalty. It was formally adopted as the National Anthem on 24 January 1950.
What is the difference between the National Anthem and the National Song?
India has both a National Anthem — 'Jana Gana Mana' — and a National Song — 'Vande Mataram'. The Constituent Assembly made this distinction deliberately in 1950, giving both songs official recognition while assigning different ceremonial roles.
Has the government responded to Khanna's demand?
No official government statement has confirmed any intent to change the National Anthem. Khanna claimed Prime Minister Modi has been promoting 'Vande Mataram' in schools and public functions, but no ministry has formally endorsed replacing 'Jana Gana Mana'.
Why is Mukesh Khanna frequently in the news?
Khanna, best known for playing Shaktimaan in the 1990s television series, is known for outspoken public statements. Recent controversies include a public spat with comedian Samay Raina, whom he criticised sharply on X before the two later appeared together in an advertisement.
