2 weeks ago

BJP files complaints against Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram row

BJP files complaints against Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram row
Vande Mataram row escalates: BJP lodges complaint against Sonia Gandhi in Karnataka · wionews.com

In India, people celebrate Independence Day every year.

On this day, many people sing a special song called Vande Mataram, which is India's national song.

Leaders from a group called the BJP looked at a video from that day's celebration.

In the video, leaders from another group, called the Congress, seemed to be talking while the song was playing.

The BJP leaders thought the Congress leaders were being disrespectful to the song.

They filed complaints against a Congress leader named Sonia Gandhi at police stations in Delhi and Karnataka.

Some BJP leaders, like Amit Shah and Manoj Tiwari, said the Congress leaders seemed uncomfortable and wanted to stop the song.

Congress leaders said this is not true.

They said Sonia Gandhi was just making sure the event was arranged properly and was asking for a chair for another leader.

The two groups are now arguing about what happened at the celebration.

Key facts

Complainants
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders
Complaint against
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi
Complaint locations
Delhi Police and Urwa police station, Karnataka
Event
80th Independence Day celebrations at Indira Bhawan, New Delhi
Date of incident
August 15, 2026
National Song
Vande Mataram
Congress leaders named
Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi
Congress response
Sonia Gandhi was ensuring proper arrangements and asking for a chair for Kharge

Quotes

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari

Chief Minister of West Bengal, commenting on the controversy

“"Yesterday, the Congress revealed its true face to the country and the world. They harbour such hatred for ‘Vande Mataram’... You saw how uncomfortable Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge became yesterday the moment the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ was played... When they saw it had been recorded on camera, they tried to give explanations."”
rediff.com wionews.com
“"Look at their (Congress's) shamelessness. The anthem Vande Mataram was being sung at the Congress Party headquarters. During the anthem, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi told the Congress President to stop singing."”
livemint.com

Sources

Related news