Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Video Dispute Fuels Himachal Row Over National Anthem
A disagreement began in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly over what happened during national songs.
Congress leaders accused BJP lawmakers of disrespecting the national anthem.
BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar said a video shows that the lawmakers stood respectfully.
He said the disagreement happened on August 21, when the Assembly session began.
Parmar said the BJP was objecting because Vande Mataram was not sung.
He said the opposition raised this through a formal point of order.
The BJP believes the Congress government turned the issue into a political controversy.
It is asking the government to apologise.
BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar said video footage disproves allegations that BJP legislators disrespected the national anthem.
The allegations concern events in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on August 21, the first day of its Monsoon Session.
Parmar said opposition MLAs, including BJP members, stood respectfully while Jana Gana Mana was played.
He said the opposition had objected to Vande Mataram not being sung, citing recently issued protocols.
Parmar demanded that the Himachal Pradesh government admit its alleged mistake and publicly apologise.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar, BJP legislators, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and some Congress MLAs.
- What
- A dispute over allegations that BJP legislators disrespected the national anthem in the Assembly.
- When
- The disputed Assembly proceedings took place on August 21; Parmar made his claim on August 25.
- Where
- The Himachal Pradesh Assembly in Shimla.
- Why
- The dispute followed the playing of Jana Gana Mana and the opposition's objection that Vande Mataram was not rendered, citing recently issued protocols.
Congress Government’s Allegation
BJP’s Rebuttal
Conduct during the national anthem
Congress Government’s Allegation
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and some Congress MLAs accused BJP legislators of disrespecting the national anthem in the Assembly.
BJP’s Rebuttal
Vipin Singh Parmar said video footage shows BJP and other opposition MLAs stood respectfully when Jana Gana Mana was played.
Interpretation of the Assembly dispute
Congress Government’s Allegation
Parmar claimed the ruling party turned the opposition’s objection into a political controversy; the article reports the accusation but does not provide a fuller Congress response.
BJP’s Rebuttal
Parmar said the opposition was raising a point of order about Vande Mataram not being sung under recently issued protocols, rather than disrespecting a national symbol.
Apology
Congress Government’s Allegation
The article does not report a response from the state government to the demand for an apology.
BJP’s Rebuttal
Parmar demanded that ruling-party leaders publicly admit their mistake and apologise for the allegations.
- Main claimant
- Himachal Pradesh BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar
- Allegation
- Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and some Congress MLAs accused BJP legislators of disrespecting Jana Gana Mana.
- BJP response
- Parmar said video footage shows opposition MLAs stood with full dignity and did not disrespect a national symbol.
- Date of disputed event
- August 21, the first day of the Monsoon Session
- Opposition objection
- BJP legislators objected to the non-rendition of Vande Mataram, citing recently issued protocols.
- Demand
- Parmar called on the state government to admit its mistake and apologise publicly.