2 weeks ago
MP CM Yadav demands apology from Gandhis over Vande Mataram
Mohan Yadav is the leader of an Indian state called Madhya Pradesh.
He is upset with two leaders of the Congress party, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Mr Yadav says these leaders insulted a very special song called Vande Mataram.
Vande Mataram is the national song of India, and freedom fighters sang it long ago while fighting for the country's freedom.
Mr Yadav says the song became known around the world through a film called 'Anand Math'.
The BJP, India's ruling party, says the leaders showed disrespect when the song was sung at the Congress party's Independence Day event.
BJP leaders also say Sonia Gandhi did not want the full version of the song to be sung, but the Congress says that is not true.
Mr Yadav wants the leaders to say sorry to the whole country and admit their mistake.
He points out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had the complete song sung from the Red Fort.
Last month, Parliament passed a law that makes insulting the national song a punishable offence, just like the national anthem.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav accused Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of insulting the national song Vande Mataram and demanded they apologise to the country.
The ruling BJP alleged that Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge showed "utter disrespect" towards Vande Mataram when it was being sung at the party's Independence Day event on Saturday.
Several BJP leaders accused Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at the event, a charge that the Congress denied.
Yadav alleged that the singing of Vande Mataram was disrupted and the national song was "insulted", and noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had the complete version sung from the Red Fort on Independence Day.
Parliament last month passed a bill making any insult to the national song a punishable offence, granting Vande Mataram status on par with the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who made the accusation; Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, who were accused; Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, also named by the BJP; and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose singing of the complete song was cited.
- What
- An accusation by Mohan Yadav and the ruling BJP that Congress leaders insulted and disrespected the national song Vande Mataram at the party's Independence Day event, including a claim that the singing was disrupted, along with a demand for an apology to the country.
- Where
- New Delhi, where the Congress Independence Day event was held; Bhopal, where Yadav issued his statement.
- When
- Saturday, August 15, India's Independence Day, when the event took place and the accusations were made.
- Why
- Because the BJP alleged the leaders showed "utter disrespect" and objected to the full version of the song, and Parliament recently made insulting the national song a punishable offence.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Indian National Congress (Congress)
Disrespect at the Independence Day event
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
The singing of Vande Mataram was disrupted, and Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge showed "utter disrespect" towards the national song, making the insult condemnable.
Indian National Congress (Congress)
The Congress denied the charge that its leaders disrespected Vande Mataram at the event.
Objection to the full version of the song
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Several BJP leaders accused Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the full version of Vande Mataram being sung at the event.
Indian National Congress (Congress)
The Congress denied that Sonia Gandhi objected to the full version of the song being sung.
Key facts
- Accuser
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
- Accused
- Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge
- Allegation
- Disrespecting the national song Vande Mataram at the Congress Independence Day event
- Demand
- A public apology to the country and acknowledgement of the mistake
- BJP's claim
- Sonia Gandhi objected to the full version of Vande Mataram being sung; Congress denied the charge
- Date of event
- Saturday, August 15 (Independence Day)
- New law
- Parliament bill passed last month making insult to the national song a punishable offence
- Legal status
- Vande Mataram granted status on par with the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana
Quotes
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, India
“"I believe that senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, whoever was involved in the insult, should apologise to the country. I hope they soon acknowledge their mistake and apologise to the nation."”
thehansindia.com
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
“"Vande Mataram was the slogan and song that freedom fighters sang while sacrificing their lives for the country’s freedom. Therefore, insulting the song is condemnable."”
thehansindia.com
theprint.in
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Sonia, Rahul disrespected Vande Mataram: MP CM Yadav; seeks apology
Sonia, Rahul Gandhi disrespected Vande Mataram: Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav seeks apology
MP CM Yadav claims Sonia, Rahul disrespected Vande Mataram, seeks apology
Sonia, Rahul disrespected Vande Mataram: MP CM Yadav; seeks apology








