BJP accuses Congress of insulting Vande Mataram, demands apology within 24 hours

Published Aug 16, 09:54 AM UTC

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.