Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Congress' Venugopal Says BJP Using Vande Mataram to Divert Attention
In India, there is a famous song called Vande Mataram that people sing to show love for their country.
On Independence Day, the whole song was sung at the office of a big political group called the Congress in New Delhi.
A leader from that group, K C Venugopal, said this was not a big problem.
Another political group, the BJP, was talking a lot about the song.
Venugopal said his group respects both Vande Mataram and the national anthem.
He thinks the BJP is talking about the song to stop people from thinking about bigger problems.
He said land is being taken away in a place called Arunachal Pradesh, and money problems at a famous temple in Ayodhya should be talked about.
He also said he wants people to discuss real issues instead of being pulled by feelings of division.
Venugopal also said his group will decide later about who will lead their group in Kerala.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said the full version of Vande Mataram sung at the AICC office in New Delhi on Independence Day was a matter of communication.
He alleged the BJP was using the Vande Mataram issue with a divisive agenda to divert attention from real issues facing the country.
Venugopal said Congress respects both Vande Mataram and the national anthem Jana Gana Mana, and that Vande Mataram was created after consultations with Mahatma Gandhi, involving Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore.
He cited the alleged taking away of land in Arunachal Pradesh, the use of pellet guns against students, and alleged theft of funds regarding the Ayodhya Ram Temple as real issues, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On the KPCC reshuffle, Venugopal said current KPCC president Sunny Joseph wants to be relieved from the post but remains the incumbent, and the party will take a decision.
- Who
- K C Venugopal, AICC general secretary and Alappuzha MP, speaking to reporters in Karunagappally; he also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Venugopal alleged the BJP is using the Vande Mataram issue to divert attention from real issues, and commented on a possible KPCC reshuffle.
- When
- Sunday, in the context of the full version of Vande Mataram being sung at the AICC office in New Delhi on Independence Day.
- Where
- Venugopal spoke to reporters in Karunagappally, Kerala; the Vande Mataram singing took place at the AICC office in New Delhi.
- Why
- Venugopal says the BJP wants to divert attention from real issues such as land being taken away in Arunachal Pradesh, alleged theft of Ayodhya Ram Temple funds, and the use of pellet guns against students.
Congress Position
BJP Position (as alleged by Congress)
Vande Mataram at AICC office
Congress Position
Singing the full version of Vande Mataram at the AICC office was a matter of communication, not an issue; Congress respects both Vande Mataram and the national anthem Jana Gana Mana.
BJP Position (as alleged by Congress)
According to Venugopal, the BJP is raising the Vande Mataram issue with a divisive agenda to divert attention from real national issues.
Focus of national debate
Congress Position
Congress wants attention on what it calls real issues: land being taken away in Arunachal Pradesh, alleged theft of Ayodhya Ram Temple funds, and the use of pellet guns against students.
BJP Position (as alleged by Congress)
As described by Venugopal, the BJP seeks to steer people toward sentiments provoked by communalism and casteism instead of discussing these issues.
- Speaker
- K C Venugopal, AICC general secretary and Alappuzha MP
- Political party
- Indian National Congress (Congress)
- Remarks location
- Karunagappally, Kerala
- Context
- Full version of Vande Mataram sung at AICC office, New Delhi, on Independence Day
- Allegation
- BJP raising the Vande Mataram issue with a divisive agenda
- Real issues cited
- Arunachal Pradesh land, Ayodhya Ram Temple fund theft, pellet guns against students
- KPCC president
- Sunny Joseph (wants to be relieved from post; remains incumbent)
- Vande Mataram origin
- Created after consultations with Mahatma Gandhi, involving Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore