New Delhi: The discussion on ‘Vande Mataram’ to celebrate the 150th anniversary of our national song began in Lok Sabha on Monday.
There were the usual war of words between the ruling party and Opposition, with Narendra Modi blaming Jawaharlal Nehru for opposing it initially and the Congress hitting back at the Prime Minister.
However, PM Modi’s choice of words in addressing Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the composer of Vande Mataram, sparked a controversy.
During his speech in Parliament, the Prime Minister hailed the role of Bengal and Vande Mataram in India’s freedom movement.
In his address to MPs, Modi referred to the legendary Bengali poet as ‘Bankim Da’.
Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) Saugata Roy interrupted the Prime Minister, objecting to the use of ‘da’.
“You are saying Bankim da? You should say Bankim babu,” he said.
Modi was quick to acknowledge Roy’s point.
“I will say Bankim babu. Thank you, I respect your sentiments,” the PM said, before adding in jest, “I can call you dada, right? Or you have an objection to that too?”
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, “Vande mataram became the voice of our freedom movement. It integrated everyone in the country and became the resolve of every Indian… ‘Swaarth ka balidaan hai ye shabd Vande Mataram’… ‘Veer ka abhimaan hai ye shabd Vande Mataram’… During the… pic.twitter.com/n1R5BlP3Xk
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2025
So what’s the difference between ‘da’ and ‘babu’?
‘Da’ is a short form of ‘dada’, or elder brother, a term used informally for someone older, familiar or respected in a friendly way.
Calling someone ‘Bankim Da’ feels friendly and familiar.
‘Babu’ is a more formal and respectful way of addressing revered personalities.
The TMC MP felt it was not very respectful to refer to a cultural icon like Chatterjee as ‘da’.
Other TMC leaders pounced on Modi’s speech to point out that he and his party had no respect for great personalities from Bengal.
