Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Kumaraswamy's 'Italian Blood' Attack on Sonia Gandhi Sparks Political Row
In India, a big argument is happening about a famous song called Vande Mataram, which people treat as a symbol of love for their country.
A minister named Mr. Kumaraswamy said unkind things about Ms. Sonia Gandhi, a leader of the Congress party who came to India from Italy.
He said her 'Italian blood' means she does not understand Indian feelings and does not respect the song.
Ms. Gandhi's friends defended her, saying she is 'more Indian than many Indians' and has worked hard for the country.
They also reminded everyone that her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, gave his life for India.
The Congress party said nobody tried to stop the full song and that Ms. Gandhi was only asking for a chair for their leader, Mr. Kharge.
Other leaders said Mr. Kumaraswamy's words were 'quite unfortunate' and that he should not make personal attacks.
Some of them said people who marry and settle in a new country adapt to it, just like Ms. Gandhi did.
The leaders still disagree, and the argument is still going on.
Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy said 'Italian blood' flows in Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and questioned her Indian identity amid the Vande Mataram controversy.
Kumaraswamy doubled down on Tuesday, asking what Gandhi has sacrificed and saying she 'disrespected' Vande Mataram because she is 'obviously not Indian.'
The BJP accused Gandhi of objecting to the full version of Vande Mataram at the Congress's Independence Day event, with BL Santhosh sharing video footage on X.
The Congress denied the charge, saying no attempt was made to stop the full song and that Gandhi only asked for a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.
Opposition leaders including CPI-M general secretary M.A. Baby and CPI general secretary D. Raja called the remarks 'quite unfortunate,' while Kumari Selja linked them to the BJP and RSS.
- Who
- Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and politicians reacting from both sides, including Rizwan Arshad, M.A. Baby, D. Raja, Kumari Selja and T.K.S. Elangovan
- What
- A political row over the national song Vande Mataram, triggered by Kumaraswamy's 'Italian blood' attack on Sonia Gandhi after the BJP accused her of objecting to the full version of the song at the Congress's Independence Day event.
- When
- On Monday and Tuesday, after the BJP's Saturday accusation over the Congress's Independence Day event.
- Where
- India; Kumaraswamy spoke in Holenarsipura in Karnataka's Hassan district, and opposition leaders responded in New Delhi.
- Why
- Kumaraswamy and the BJP allege that Gandhi, because of her Italian origin, opposes Indian sentiment and disrespected Vande Mataram; the Congress denies the charge.
Congress and Opposition's stance
BJP and Kumaraswamy's stance
Sonia Gandhi's Indian identity
Congress and Opposition's stance
Gandhi is 'more Indian than many Indians' and fighting for a united, just India; her husband Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed his life for the nation, and people who marry and settle in a new country adapt to it. She was UPA chairperson and refused to become Prime Minister in 2004, choosing Manmohan Singh instead.
BJP and Kumaraswamy's stance
Gandhi is from Italy and married an Indian citizen; her 'Italian blood' means she is 'obviously not Indian' and does not understand Indian sentiments.
The Vande Mataram incident
Congress and Opposition's stance
There was no attempt to stop the full song; Gandhi only asked for a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who had been standing for a while.
BJP and Kumaraswamy's stance
Gandhi objected to the full version of Vande Mataram at the Independence Day event, disrespecting the national song; BL Santhosh shared video footage on X and said, 'Mother, son and national president (of the Congress) seem to be upset by the rendering of full Vande Mataram.'
How Vande Mataram should be sung
Congress and Opposition's stance
D. Raja said the issue was debated in Parliament, no consensus emerged, and the present government headed by Mr Modi passed it with a majority; questions are being raised in several states, including Tamil Nadu. T.K.S. Elangovan said the accepted practice since 1947 is to sing only a portion.
BJP and Kumaraswamy's stance
The national song should be respected and its full version sung; Kumaraswamy recalled it was sung at a Congress session attended by Mahatma Gandhi and by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
- Row
- Alleged objection to the full version of Vande Mataram at the Congress's Independence Day event
- Accuser
- Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy (Heavy Industries and Steel; Janata Dal-Secular) and BJP leaders
- Target
- Congress leader Sonia Gandhi
- Kumaraswamy's remark
- Gandhi has 'Italian blood' and is 'obviously not Indian'; she married an Indian citizen
- Congress rebuttal
- No attempt was made to stop the full song; Gandhi asked for a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge
- Defense of Gandhi
- Rizwan Arshad said she is 'more Indian than many Indians'; Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed his life for the nation
- BJP evidence
- BL Santhosh shared video footage of the Congress event on X and said, 'Mother, son and national president (of the Congress) seem to be upset by the rendering of full Vande Mataram.'
- DMK's note
- T.K.S. Elangovan said the accepted practice, decided in 1947, is that only a portion of Vande Mataram should be sung
