Archive · 18 Aug 2026
BJP youth wing files complaint against Congress leaders
India recently celebrated Independence Day.
During the celebration, a special song called 'Vande Mataram' is sung.
Some leaders from the Congress party were at the event.
A group from the BJP party, called the youth wing, says the Congress leaders did not show respect to the song.
They think the leaders tried to stop the singing.
So the BJP youth wing complained to the police.
The Congress leaders say that is not true.
They say nobody tried to stop the song.
They say Sonia Gandhi was just asking for a chair for Mallikarjun Kharge because he was standing for a long time.
The BJP youth wing has asked the police to take action against the leaders.
The Odisha BJP's youth wing filed a police complaint against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
The complaint alleges the Congress leaders disrespected and obstructed the singing of 'Vande Mataram' during an Independence Day programme.
BJP Yuva Morcha State president Abhilash Panda said the leaders committed a punishable offence.
Congress denied the charge, saying there was no attempt to stop the singing of the full version of the national song.
Congress said Sonia Gandhi was only asking for a chair for Kharge, while BJP activists staged a silent protest procession in Bhubaneswar.
- Who
- Odisha BJP's youth wing (BJP Yuva Morcha), led by State president Abhilash Panda, filed the complaint against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
- What
- A police complaint alleging the Congress leaders disrespected and obstructed the singing of 'Vande Mataram' during an Independence Day programme; Congress denies the charge.
- When
- Announced on Sunday, following an Independence Day programme.
- Where
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha; a silent protest procession also moved from the State party office to Congress Bhavan at Master Canteen Square.
- Why
- The BJP alleges the leaders committed a punishable offence by disrespecting and obstructing the national song.
BJP's position
Congress's position
Disrespect to 'Vande Mataram'
BJP's position
The Congress leaders disrespected and obstructed the singing of the national song, committing a punishable offence.
Congress's position
There was no attempt to stop the singing of the full version of the national song; the charge is denied.
Sonia Gandhi's action
BJP's position
Sonia Gandhi's behaviour obstructed the singing of 'Vande Mataram' and hurt people's sentiments.
Congress's position
Sonia Gandhi was only asking for a chair for Mallikarjun Kharge because he had been standing for some time.
- Complainant
- Odisha BJP youth wing (BJP Yuva Morcha)
- Accused
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi
- Allegation
- Disrespecting and obstructing 'Vande Mataram'
- BJP Yuva Morcha State president
- Abhilash Panda
- Congress response
- Denied the charge; no attempt to stop the full version of the national song
- Congress explanation
- Sonia Gandhi was asking for a chair for Kharge, who had been standing
- Location
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Protest
- Silent procession from State party office to Congress Bhavan at Master Canteen Square