Sonia Gandhi Faces Complaint Over Vande Mataram Row

Vande Mataram Row Sparks Fresh Controversy

In a few visuals seen of senior Congress leaders from videos shared on August 15, some were seen talking to each other while the National Song was being recited by others present at the headquarters. The BJP alleged this was disrespect to the national song, and Congress had denied it, saying there was no intention to stall the recital.

BJP MLA Sumitro Chatterjee, a descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has demanded an unconditional apology from Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi for the incident and said that the song was repeatedly prevented from being rendered and thus betrayed its spirit. 

Amit Shah Targets Gandhi Over Incident

Union home minister Amit Shah, addressing a rally in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan had accused Sonia Gandhi of having asked workers to stop the recital.

"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. We all just kept watching on TV," Shah said.

He added, "Sonia ji, 140 crore people are watching you. This sin you have committed will never be forgiven by the people of this country.”

Congress Denies Stopping National Song Recital

However, the Congress Party termed the charges as fabricated and claimed there was never any intention to prevent the song from being sung. Sonia Gandhi merely instructed that for Mr Kharge a chair should be provided as he has been standing for a very long time, the spokesperson stated, adding the BJP was only cooking a new controversy.

Congress spokesperson Udit Raj said, “This is a pack of lies. Sonia Gandhi did not do that. Our Congress president is not in good health; he cannot stand for long periods... so, Sonia Gandhi gestured regarding the management of the proceedings, not to stop the singing of Vande Mataram," Raj said.

He added, "The RSS did not hoist the national flag for 52 years. When will Amit Shah apologise for that? They did not accept the national flag; they insisted it should be saffron. When will they apologise for that?"