Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Himachal Assembly Anthem Row Escalates Into Privilege Motions
A disagreement began in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly over what happened while the national anthem was being sung.
Congress said a BJP lawmaker raised his hand before the anthem finished.
The BJP said this accusation was false and asked to see the Assembly’s video.
After seeing the video, the BJP said it disproved Congress’s claim.
Congress argued that the camera did not clearly show what the lawmaker did.
Both parties accused each other of disrespecting national symbols.
They said they would bring privilege motions against each other.
The BJP also announced a possible defamation case against the chief minister.
The argument led to shouting and protests inside the Assembly.
The Congress and BJP will move breach of privilege motions against each other over the alleged national anthem insult.
Congress alleged BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar raised his hand before Jana Gana Mana ended and sought the singing of Vande Mataram.
The BJP denied the allegation, sought Assembly video footage and demanded an apology from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the BJP may file a criminal defamation suit against Sukhu in the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
The dispute caused sloganeering and commotion in the Assembly, while Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said Sukhu’s outside-the-House remarks were not part of the official record.
- Who
- The Himachal Pradesh Congress government, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur.
- What
- A dispute over whether the BJP insulted the national anthem has escalated into reciprocal breach of privilege motions, with the BJP also announcing a possible criminal defamation suit.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred on the first day of the Assembly’s Monsoon Session on Friday; the dispute resurfaced on Wednesday, August 26.
- Where
- The Himachal Pradesh Assembly in Shimla, with related protests also reported across Himachal Pradesh.
- Why
- Congress alleged that Parmar raised his hand before Jana Gana Mana concluded while seeking the singing of Vande Mataram; the BJP rejects that account and says the video disproves it.
Congress Position
BJP Position
What happened during the anthem
Congress Position
Congress said Vipin Singh Parmar raised his hand before Jana Gana Mana concluded while seeking the singing of Vande Mataram.
BJP Position
The BJP strongly denied the accusation and said the Assembly video provided to it disproved the claim.
Meaning of the video
Congress Position
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said the camera was not focused on Parmar, allowing him to take advantage of the footage.
BJP Position
The BJP said the video showed that the chief minister had falsely accused the opposition and demanded an apology.
Political and legal response
Congress Position
Congress said it would move a privilege motion against BJP leaders and accused the BJP of disrespecting the national anthem and creating division over national symbols.
BJP Position
The BJP said it would move a privilege motion against Sukhu and announced a possible criminal defamation suit over his alleged falsehood.
- Disputed incident
- Congress alleged that BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar raised his hand before the national anthem ended.
- BJP response
- The BJP denied the allegation, sought video footage and demanded an apology from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
- Congress response
- Sukhu maintained that questioning the national anthem itself constituted an insult and demanded an apology from the BJP.
- Privilege motions
- Both the Congress and BJP announced plans to move breach of privilege motions against the other side.
- Legal action announced
- Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the BJP would file a criminal defamation suit against Sukhu in the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
- Speaker’s clarification
- Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said remarks made by Sukhu outside the House were not part of the official record.
- Assembly reaction
- The dispute produced commotion and mutual sloganeering in the House.