BJP Accuses Congress of Insulting Vande Mataram; Congress Denies
On India’s 80th Independence Day (August 15, 2026), the BJP accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of signaling to stop the full version of the national song 'Vande Mataram' at a Congress event. BJP leaders, including Amit Shah and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, demanded an apology, calling it an insult. Congress denied the charge, explaining Gandhi was asking for a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. The controversy highlights ongoing political tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress, with both sides citing historical precedents and recent legal amendments.
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Vande Mataram Controversy: BJP Chief Nabin Calls Congress 'New Muslim League'
The Vande Mataram controversy in India has escalated as BJP president Nitin Nabin sharply criticized the Congress party for its decision to sing only the first two stanzas of the national song 'Vande Mataram' at party events. Nabin labeled the Congress as the 'New Muslim League,' intensifying political rhetoric. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the two major political parties over national symbols and religious identity. The article, published by The Hindu on August 20, 2026, reports on this new development in the political dispute.
Delhi Police Enquires into Complaint Against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Over Vande Mataram Incident
Delhi Police announced on August 17, 2026, that it is investigating a complaint filed by an advocate against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The complaint, filed on August 16 at the IP Estate Police Station, alleges that during the singing of 'Vande Mataram' at the Congress headquarters' Independence Day function on August 15, Sonia Gandhi made gestures indicating objection to the song's continuation, and Rahul Gandhi was heard saying 'We are not singing Vande Mataram.' The complainant seeks an FIR and impartial probe. The BJP has accused the Congress leaders of disrespecting the national song, which recently gained legal status on par with the national anthem. The Congress party denies the charges, calling them a political diversion.
Union Minister Kumaraswamy Says Congress Discussion on Vande Mataram Unnecessary
Union Minister of Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy stated on August 16, 2026, in Guledagudda, Bagalkot district, that the discussion and questions raised about the song 'Vande Mataram' are unnecessary. He affirmed his clear stand that there should be no controversy over the song, which inspired the freedom struggle and was written before the national anthem. Kumaraswamy noted that a law exists regarding respect for the song. He was responding to a query about alleged disrespect by members of the Gandhi family, referencing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's clarification that she did not ask anyone to stop singing the song but was merely requesting a chair for AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.
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Congress rejects Amit Shah's Vande Mataram charge, calls it a political diversion
On August 16, 2026, the Indian National Congress strongly rebutted Union Home Minister Amit Shah's accusation that the party insulted the national song 'Vande Mataram' during Independence Day celebrations at its headquarters. Shah demanded an apology from Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, alleging she gestured to stop the song. Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh dismissed the charge as a political diversion, emphasizing the party's respect for the song and accusing the BJP of manufacturing controversy. Ramesh attacked Shah's credibility, referencing past incidents. BJP leaders also filed a police complaint against Gandhi in Karnataka over the incident.
Amit Shah slams Congress and Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram controversy
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on the opposition Congress party and its former president Sonia Gandhi over a controversy surrounding the national song 'Vande Mataram'. Shah accused the Congress of disrespecting the national song and said the people of India will never forgive them for this. The row erupted after a video surfaced showing Sonia Gandhi allegedly not standing during the playing of Vande Mataram at an event. Shah's remarks came during a political rally, intensifying the ongoing political battle between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress ahead of elections. The controversy has become a flashpoint in Indian politics, with the BJP using it to question the patriotism of the Gandhi family and the Congress party.
BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of opposing full Vande Mataram; Congress denies charge
On August 15, 2026, during Independence Day celebrations at the Congress headquarters, CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi was seen gesturing while the full six stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung. The BJP alleged she tried to stop the song, calling it an insult to the national song, and demanded an apology. Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh countered that Gandhi was simply asking for a chair for party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who had been standing for a long time. Ramesh cited a 1937 Congress Working Committee decision, based on Rabindranath Tagore's advice, to sing only the initial stanzas. The controversy follows Home Ministry guidelines issued in February and reiterated in July on observing the national song, and the passage of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026.
BJP accuses Congress of insulting Vande Mataram, demands apology within 24 hours
On August 16, 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Indian National Congress of insulting the national song 'Vande Mataram' during the Congress party's Independence Day event on August 14. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge showed 'utter disrespect' by gesturing to stop the singing of the song. The BJP demanded a public apology within 24 hours, claiming the incident reflects a Congress policy of opposing anything patriotic. The Congress denied the allegations, stating that Sonia Gandhi was only asking for a chair for party chief Kharge. The BJP also invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's term 'dimagi Naxal' to describe the Congress leadership's mindset. The exchange highlights ongoing political tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party.
Amit Shah accuses Congress of insulting Vande Mataram, demands apology
On August 16, 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the Indian National Congress of insulting the national song 'Vande Mataram' during an Independence Day event at the party headquarters. Shah alleged that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi asked for the song to be stopped midway. Speaking at a public meeting in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, Shah demanded that the Congress party apologize to the people and to the song's author, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. He claimed the incident was witnessed on television and linked it to vote-bank politics. The Congress party has rejected the charge. Shah also praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's contributions, including India's nuclear tests and tribal welfare initiatives, and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continuing that legacy.
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav Accuses Sonia, Rahul Gandhi of Disrespecting Vande Mataram, Demands Apology
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has accused Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of disrespecting the Indian national song 'Vande Mataram' during a recent event. Yadav demanded a public apology from the Congress leaders, alleging that their actions insulted the national symbol. The accusation comes amid ongoing political tensions between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party. Yadav's statement was reported by The Hindu on August 16, 2026, and has sparked a fresh political controversy in India.
BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of objecting to full Vande Mataram; Congress denies
On India's 80th Independence Day (August 15, 2026), the BJP accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the singing of the full version of the national song 'Vande Mataram' at the Congress party's event. BJP leaders B.L. Santhosh and Gopal Krishna Agarwal shared video footage on X, alleging that Gandhi signaled to stop the song and that Rahul Gandhi also appeared uncomfortable. The Congress denied the charge, asserting that Gandhi was only asking for a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who had been standing. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh cited a 1937 Congress Working Committee decision, advised by Rabindranath Tagore, to sing only the initial stanzas of Vande Mataram at Congress sessions, and confirmed the full version was sung on Saturday. The BJP framed the incident as exposing the Congress's 'mindset' and 'Emergency mindset,' while the Congress maintained there was no controversy.