📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bollywood Hungama
Politics
Actor Mukesh Khanna urges ‘Vande Mataram’ to replace ‘Jana Gana Mana’ as anthem
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 24 Aug 2026, 05:38 AM
👁 3
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has publicly called for ‘Vande Mataram’ to be adopted as India’s national anthem, arguing that ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is unsuitable.
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, best known for his iconic role in the television series “Mahabharat”, said that “Jana Gana Mana cannot be the national anthem” and urged that “Vande Mataram” be adopted instead.
Khanna argued that “Vande Mataram” embodies India’s cultural heritage and has historically served as a rallying cry during the freedom struggle, whereas he believes “Jana Gana Mana” lacks that emotional resonance.
His remarks have generated a mixed response on social media, with some netizens echoing his sentiment and others defending the current anthem. No official comment has been released by the Ministry of Culture or any government authority.
Any change to the national anthem would require a constitutional amendment and parliamentary approval, a procedure that could take several years to complete.
Khanna argued that “Vande Mataram” embodies India’s cultural heritage and has historically served as a rallying cry during the freedom struggle, whereas he believes “Jana Gana Mana” lacks that emotional resonance.
His remarks have generated a mixed response on social media, with some netizens echoing his sentiment and others defending the current anthem. No official comment has been released by the Ministry of Culture or any government authority.
Any change to the national anthem would require a constitutional amendment and parliamentary approval, a procedure that could take several years to complete.