Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Rijiju Jabs Congress Over Vande Mataram Controversy
A big leader named Kiren Rijiju said that the Congress party does not sing the whole national song called Vande Mataram anymore, only their own party song.
This started because of a video where two Congress leaders, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, were seen moving around while the song was playing.
The BJP, another party, said Sonia Gandhi looked unhappy about the song.
The Congress said she was just asking for a chair for the older leader to sit down.
Mr. Rijiju said everyone should sing the national song because it is the spirit of the country.
He also said that the Prime Minister's comment about 'Dimagi Naxals' was not about the Congress.
He talked about protests too, saying they were peaceful this time.
He compared it to old times when he said the Congress used to stop protests with force.
This is a story about political parties arguing over a national song.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of singing only its party song instead of the full Vande Mataram.
The controversy stems from a video of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge during the national song at an Independence Day event.
The BJP claimed Sonia Gandhi expressed displeasure at the full version being sung; the Congress said she was asking for a chair for Kharge.
Rijiju said the national song and anthem cannot be politicised and that the government has decided the full Vande Mataram must be sung.
Rijiju clarified that PM Modi's 'Dimagi Naxal' comment was not aimed at the Congress and defended the handling of protests by the 'Cockroach Janata Party'.
- Who
- Union minister Kiren Rijiju, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, PM Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah
- What
- Rijiju criticised the Congress for not singing the full Vande Mataram and addressed the controversy over a video of Congress leaders during the national song
- When
- Following an Independence Day event and a video that sparked controversy
- Where
- India, in the context of a Congress Independence Day event and an NDTV interview
- Why
- Because of a dispute over whether Congress leaders showed displeasure during the singing of the national song
Congress's View
BJP/Government's View
Sonia Gandhi's Gesture During Vande Mataram
Congress's View
She was only asking office staff to bring a chair for 84-year-old party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.
BJP/Government's View
She expressed displeasure at the full version of the national song being sung, witnessed on live telecast.
Singing the Full National Song
Congress's View
The Congress's actions were misinterpreted; the party's stance on the national song is not as portrayed.
BJP/Government's View
The government has decided the full Vande Mataram must be sung and nobody should object; the national song cannot be politicised.
Handling of Protests
Congress's View
The Congress's historical handling of protests is being unfairly characterised.
BJP/Government's View
The current protests were peaceful with no lathi charge, unlike Congress times when protesters were killed by bullets.
- Main Figure
- Union minister Kiren Rijiju
- Opposition Party
- Congress
- Congress Leaders Involved
- Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge
- National Song
- Vande Mataram
- Kharge's Age
- 84 years old
- BJP's Claim
- Sonia Gandhi expressed displeasure at the full version being sung
- Congress's Counter
- She was asking for a chair for Kharge
- PM Modi's Comment
- Reference to 'Dimagi Naxals'