Congress Leaders Face Legal Action Over Vande Mataram Row

The Indian National Congress is embroiled in a political and legal battle after allegations that its leadership disrespected the national song, Vande Mataram, during August 15 Independence Day celebrations at the party headquarters in New Delhi. The controversy centers on video footage showing Sonia Gandhi and President Mallikarjun Kharge conversing during the rendition. Complaints allege Sonia Gandhi attempted to stop the singing when the full version was performed, while Rahul Gandhi reportedly stated they were not singing the song.

Legal actions have escalated quickly. The Delhi Police launched a preliminary investigation, and a special MP-MLA court in Ghaziabad admitted a petition filed by Hindu Sena's Vishnu Gupta seeking criminal action under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. The BJP and its affiliates have intensified pressure, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding an apology and BJP MLA S.N. Channabasappa calling for Congress leaders to leave the country.

Mallikarjun Kharge defended the party's actions, asserting that he sang the same version used by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. He challenged the government to file cases against those historical figures if his conduct was criminal. Congress leader Pawan Khera further defended the party's practice of singing only the first two stanzas, framing the dispute as a debate over national identity. The row coincides with new legislation and a home ministry circular requiring all six stanzas of the song to be rendered at official functions.