Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Kharge Defends Vande Mataram Version, Challenges BJP to Book Gandhi
India has a special song called Vande Mataram.
Some grown-ups are very upset about how it was sung at an Independence Day party.
A video showed two leaders talking while the song was playing.
Another group said that was rude.
One leader explained they were just asking for a chair because a senior leader was tired.
The Congress leader said the song was sung the same way famous old leaders used to sing it.
He said if that is wrong, the police should also question the old leaders.
Some people complained to the police about what happened.
The government also made a rule that the full song must always be sung at official events.
People in India are arguing about what is right and what is not.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge defended the Vande Mataram rendition, saying it matches versions sung by Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and Vajpayee.
Kharge said if the rendition is a crime, the government should file FIRs against Gandhi, Nehru and other leaders who sang it.
Video footage showed Sonia Gandhi and Kharge conversing during the song at Congress headquarters on August 15; the BJP alleged disrespect of the national song.
A complaint was filed with Delhi Police seeking an FIR against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi over an alleged attempt to disrupt the singing.
Earlier this year the Centre made singing Vande Mataram in full mandatory and made obstructing its rendition a criminal offence.
Kharge also attacked the BJP and RSS in Goa and met party leaders to prepare for the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
- Who
- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and the BJP
- What
- Political controversy over the rendition of Vande Mataram and a police complaint against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi
- When
- Mid-August, with Kharge's remarks reported on Tuesday, August 18
- Where
- India, including the Congress headquarters in Delhi, Goa and South Goa
- Why
- Video footage showed the Gandhis conversing during the song, which the BJP called disrespectful; Kharge defended the rendition as historically used by national leaders
Congress
BJP
Sonia Gandhi's Gesture During Vande Mataram
Congress
Sonia Gandhi was gesturing to arrange a chair for Kharge, who cannot stand for long periods due to poor health, not to stop the singing.
BJP
Sonia Gandhi gestured to signal that the singers should stop the full rendition of the national song, disrespecting it.
- Congress President
- Mallikarjun Kharge
- Complaint Filed Against
- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi
- Political Parties Involved
- Congress and BJP
- National Song
- Vande Mataram
- Location of Controversy
- Delhi and Goa
- Kharge's Goa Visit
- Public rally in South Goa and party strategy meeting for 2027 Goa Assembly polls
- New Government Rule
- Mandatory full rendition of Vande Mataram; obstructing it is a criminal offence
