Vande Mataram Row: BJP Leaders File Complaint Against Sonia Gandhi Over Congress HQ Video… ‘Disrespect’ Charge Sparks Political Storm

A fresh political controversy has erupted over the recitation of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders filing a formal complaint against senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in Karnataka.

BJP leaders approached the Urwa Police Station in Mangaluru on Sunday, alleging that the conduct of senior Congress leaders during the National Song’s recitation amounted to disrespect.

The complaint comes after visuals from the Independence Day programme at the Congress headquarters circulated widely, showing senior Congress leaders appearing to speak among themselves while Vande Mataram was being recited.

The incident quickly turned into a political flashpoint, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress leadership of showing disregard for a song that has played a significant role in India’s freedom movement.

BJP targets Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge

BJP leaders have sharply criticised the Congress leadership over the visuals.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused the Congress leadership of being uncomfortable with Vande Mataram and claimed that the footage had exposed the party’s alleged attitude towards the National Song.

“Yesterday, the Congress revealed its true face to the country and the world,” Tiwari said while targeting Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

He alleged that the Congress leaders appeared uncomfortable when the full version of Vande Mataram was played and subsequently attempted to explain their conduct after the incident was captured on camera.

Tiwari’s remarks have added another layer to an already heated political debate, with the BJP using the incident to question the Congress’s approach towards national symbols.

Shahnawaz Hussain calls the incident ‘unfortunate’

Former Union minister and BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain also criticised the Congress leadership.

Hussain described the reaction of the Congress leaders during the recitation as unfortunate and alleged that there had been an attempt to stop the singing of the National Song.

His comments reflect the broader BJP narrative that the incident was not merely a matter of casual conversation during a public programme, but an indication of the Congress leadership’s alleged attitude towards Vande Mataram.

However, these remain political allegations, and the available visuals alone do not establish the intention behind the leaders’ actions.

Kapil Mishra also weighs in

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra joined the criticism, accusing the Congress leaders of deliberately disrespecting the National Song.

Mishra specifically named Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, arguing that their conduct during the recitation raised questions about their intentions.

The BJP has continued to amplify the issue, turning what began as a moment captured during an Independence Day programme into a larger political confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition.

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Congress rejects the allegations

The Congress has rejected the BJP’s interpretation of the incident.

According to the party, Sonia Gandhi’s actions had nothing to do with disrespecting Vande Mataram. Congress maintained that she was attempting to ensure that the arrangements for the recitation were carried out properly.

This explanation directly challenges the BJP’s allegation that the Congress leaders were deliberately disrespectful.

The dispute therefore remains centred on the interpretation of the footage and the intentions behind what happened at the event.

Why Vande Mataram remains politically sensitive

Vande Mataram has long occupied a special place in India’s political and cultural history.

Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the song became an important symbol during India’s freedom struggle. It was later accorded the status of India’s National Song, while Jana Gana Mana remains the National Anthem.

Because of its historical significance, any controversy involving Vande Mataram can quickly acquire a political dimension.

The latest dispute is no exception.

The BJP has portrayed the incident as an issue of respect for national symbols, while the Congress has argued that the actions of its leaders have been misinterpreted.

Political battle likely to continue

The complaint against Sonia Gandhi adds a legal and political dimension to the controversy.

For the BJP, the incident provides another opportunity to attack the Congress over nationalism and its relationship with national symbols. For the Congress, the episode is being framed as another instance of the BJP turning an event into a political controversy.

Whether the police complaint leads to any further action remains to be seen.

For now, however, the Vande Mataram controversy has once again highlighted how quickly moments involving national symbols can become major political flashpoints in India.

With the BJP demanding accountability and the Congress rejecting the allegations, the dispute is unlikely to disappear from the political conversation anytime soon.