Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today launch a special discussion in the Lok Sabha, marking 150 years of the iconic patriotic composition ‘Vande Mataram’. The debate, spread over 10 hours, is designed to revisit the song’s historical journey, its role in the freedom struggle, and the contrasting political interpretations that surround it.

PM Modi expected to highlight the song’s legacy

The Prime Minister is likely to underscore how Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s work—first published on November 7, 1875 in Bangadarshan—became a rallying force during India’s struggle for independence.

Opposition benches are keenly observing the Prime Minister’s remarks as his recent comments on the song stirred a political argument. At an event marking the anniversary last month, he alleged that the Congress “removed important stanzas” in 1937, claiming the move weakened the essence of national unity. According to him, the decision “sowed the seeds of Partition” and divided the song.

The Congress, meanwhile, has maintained that the decision followed the advice of Rabindranath Tagore and was intended to respect the sentiments of people of different faiths.

Debate likely to get louder amid ongoing political friction

The Rajya Sabha version of the discussion will be opened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. Members of the ruling alliance have been allotted three hours in the Lok Sabha session dedicated to the debate.

The matter has already seen flashpoints ahead of the Winter Session. A reminder issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat advising MPs not to use expressions like ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jai Hind’ during proceedings to “maintain decorum” triggered opposition backlash, with critics alleging that the government is uncomfortable with symbols of national identity.

The Winter Session runs until December 19, and early signs indicate that discussions around ‘Vande Mataram’ may remain contentious in the days ahead.

A newly surfaced video from a North Goa nightclub has revealed the horrifying moments leading up to a massive fire that claimed 25 lives, including five tourists, turning a night of music and dance into a fatal disaster.

Video shows flames erupting during performance

The visuals, recorded at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, show flames suddenly appearing on the ceiling just moments after fireworks were used during a musical act. What began as a regular Saturday night event — advertised on social media as a Bollywood Banger Night — quickly escalated into chaos as smoke and fire spread across the packed venue.

The clip captures the crowd enjoying the performance to the popular Sholay track ‘Mehbooba Mehbooba’ when the first sparks are seen overhead. Seconds later, the fire intensifies, triggering panic among those inside.

Fire safety clearance under suspicion

Although the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be confirmed, officials suspect the incident began after fireworks were set off indoors during the show. Authorities also believe the nightclub may not have had the mandatory fire department clearance, raising concerns over violations that could have worsened the tragedy.

Located around 25 km from Panaji, the nightclub quickly turned into a death trap as the blaze spread before many could escape.

IndiGo has reported significant progress in restoring normal flight operations, processing refunds at a rapid pace and improving its on-time performance following days of disruptions. The airline confirmed that it has refunded tickets worth Rs 610 crore so far, while the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) continues close monitoring to ensure passenger convenience.

Airline ramps up operations, improves punctuality

IndiGo said it is set to operate over 1,650 flights, compared to 1,500 the previous day. Of its 138 destinations, 137 are operational, and the carrier’s on-time performance has risen to 75%, a notable jump from the earlier 30%.
The airline reiterated that passengers with bookings until December 15 will receive full waivers on cancellations and rescheduling.

Ministry steps in to stabilise operations

Officials said the aviation ministry took swift steps to address the crisis, ensuring passengers face minimal inconvenience. Other domestic airlines have continued to operate at full capacity, enabling air travel across the country to stabilise quickly.

Airfare cap introduced to prevent overcharging

To control fare spikes following mass cancellations, the ministry imposed an immediate cap on airfares along affected routes. Airlines have been instructed to adhere to the revised fare structure, with officials noting that rates have since moderated to acceptable levels.

Refunds, rescheduling and passenger support

The ministry directed IndiGo to complete refunds for all cancelled or heavily delayed flights by 8 pm today. The airline has already processed refunds worth Rs 610 crore, with no extra charges allowed for rescheduling.
Dedicated support cells are handling refund and rebooking concerns to ensure swift resolution.

Baggage tracing and delivery

The airline has been asked to deliver all misplaced baggage within 48 hours. IndiGo has delivered 3,000 bags to passengers across the country as of yesterday, with continuous updates being sent to affected travellers.

Situation at major airports

Airport heads from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Goa reported smooth passenger movement with no crowding. CISF and airport operators have increased on-ground assistance and monitoring.

Round-the-clock monitoring

A 24×7 MoCA control room continues to supervise flight operations, crew deployment, passenger support and airport conditions. Passenger calls are being handled promptly to ensure all required assistance is provided.

Assurance to travellers

The ministry emphasised that passenger safety, dignity and convenience remain top priority, adding that the aviation network is steadily moving toward complete normalcy. It affirmed that corrective measures will stay in place until operations fully stabilise.