NEW DELHI: A political controversy erupted on Saturday over the rendition of the full version of Vande Mataram at the Congress's Independence Day event, with the BJP accusing the opposition party of disrespecting the national song. The Congress, however, dismissed the allegations as false, saying that Sonia Gandhi was merely seeking a chair for party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The incident occurred during the Congress's flag-hoisting ceremony at its headquarters on August 15, 2026. According to the Congress, Sonia Gandhi, the former party president, was seen gesturing during the singing of Vande Mataram, which the BJP claimed was an objection to the full version of the song. The BJP's social media handles and leaders, including Union Minister Smriti Irani, alleged that Sonia Gandhi's actions showed 'hatred' towards the national song.
Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, countered that the allegations were baseless. They explained that Sonia Gandhi was asking for a chair to be brought for Kharge, who was standing due to a recent knee surgery. Ramesh tweeted, "Sonia Gandhi was requesting a chair for Kharge ji, who had undergone surgery. The BJP is spreading lies."
The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the upcoming state elections. The BJP has been using the incident to attack the Congress, while the Congress has accused the BJP of distorting facts for political gain. The full version of Vande Mataram, which includes additional stanzas, has been a subject of political debate in the past, with some Muslim organizations objecting to certain verses.
