A political row over Vande Mataram has intensified after a video from the Congress headquarters in Delhi showed senior leaders speaking during the National Song’s recitation on Independence Day. BJP leaders accused Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders of disrespect, while complaints were filed in Delhi, Karnataka and Odisha. Congress rejected the charge, saying the video was being misinterpreted by critics.
Congress Leaders Face Criticism Over National Song Incident
The controversy erupted after footage from the Congress headquarters during the August 15 event showed senior Congress leaders conversing while Vande Mataram was being recited. This behavior drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who claimed it demonstrated a lack of respect for the National Song. Union Minister Amit Shah specifically accused Sonia Gandhi of instructing the Congress president to halt the song midway through its performance.
Earlier reporting noted: This came as leaders from Shah’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged a formal complaint against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi at the Urwa police station in Karnataka on Sunday, following a controversy during the recitation of the national song Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day. The anthem Vande Mataram was being sung at the Congress Party headquarters. We all just kept watching on TV. This sin you have committed will never be forgiven by the people of this country. How can anyone even dream of leaving the anthem Vande Mataram incomplete? The party maintained that she was only trying to ensure that arrangements for the rendition were carried out properly. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also dismissed the controversy, saying, “There is no controversy. In Mumbai, BJP leaders held a protest outside Santacruz Railway Station.
He added, “Sonia ji, 140 crore people are watching you. Earlier reporting noted: Congress insulted Vande Mataram on Independence Day, should apologise to people: Amit Shah at Chittorgarh rally The Congress insulted Vande Mataram on Independence Day, and should apologise to the people, Union home minister Amit Shah said at a rally in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, on Sunday, August 16.
Shah said, “Look at their (Congress’s) shamelessness. During the anthem, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi told the Congress President to stop singing. The people of Congress should feel ashamed,” he said while addressing a public gathering. Prashant Kishor said, “In the video we’ve seen, Vande Mataram was sung in full. Now, who was stopping it in the middle and who wasn’t, only the government would know that; they should find out,” Kishor said. Congress rejected the BJP’s allegation and said Sonia Gandhi’s actions were not aimed at opposing Vande Mataram. Congress’ high command or Jairam Ramesh will tell you about the party’s approach,” Gehlot said. BJP North Central Mumbai District President Virendra Mhatre demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi and said the party would continue to oppose what it described as disrespect towards Vande Mataram. Earlier reporting noted: “The Congress forgot Vande Mataram out of greed for vote banks,” Shah alleged.
