2 weeks ago
BJP files complaints against Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram row
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.
Complaints were filed in Delhi and Karnataka against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over her alleged conduct during the rendition of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day.
Videos from the August 15 programme showed senior Congress leaders speaking among themselves while the national song was being recited.
BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, Manoj Tiwari, Shahnawaz Hussain, and Kapil Mishra, accused the Congress leadership of disrespecting the national song.
The Delhi complaint alleges Sonia Gandhi made gestures that 'prima facie' seemed to object to the song's continuation and references a video of Rahul Gandhi allegedly saying, 'We are not singing Vande Mataram.'
The Congress rejected the allegations, saying Sonia Gandhi was merely trying to ensure proper arrangements and was asking for a chair for Mallikarjun Kharge.
- Who
- BJP leaders including Amit Shah, Manoj Tiwari, Shahnawaz Hussain, Kapil Mishra, and Suvendu Adhikari; Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi.
- What
- Complaints were filed against Sonia Gandhi alleging she and other Congress leaders disrespected the national song Vande Mataram during an Independence Day programme.
- Where
- The incident took place at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi; complaints were filed in Delhi and at the Urwa police station in Karnataka.
- When
- The complaints were filed on Sunday, following the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, 2026.
- Why
- Videos showed senior Congress leaders speaking among themselves while Vande Mataram was being recited, which BJP leaders called deliberate disrespect; Congress says Gandhi was ensuring proper arrangements.
Congress's defense
BJP's accusations
Conduct during Vande Mataram recitation
Congress's defense
Sonia Gandhi's actions had nothing to do with the national song; she was merely trying to ensure proper arrangements and was asking for a chair for Kharge, who was standing.
BJP's accusations
Senior Congress leaders were speaking among themselves and showed visible discomfort while the full version of Vande Mataram was played, amounting to deliberate disrespect of the National Song.
Attitude towards the National Song
Congress's defense
The party rejected the allegations, asserting that there was no attempt to stop the full version of Vande Mataram and that the visuals were being misinterpreted.
BJP's accusations
BJP leaders alleged Congress harbours hatred and deep discomfort toward Vande Mataram, with Amit Shah claiming Sonia Gandhi told the Congress president to stop singing.
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









