BJP lodges complaint against Sonia Gandhi as Vande Mataram row intensifies
The BJP has filed a formal complaint against Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders, alleging disrespect toward the national song 'Vande Mataram' during an Independence Day event. Congress has denied the allegations, stating there was no intentional attempt to stop the rendition.
Why it matters
This reflects the intense political polarization in India, where symbolic acts of nationalism are frequently weaponized in partisan disputes.
NEW DELHI: BJP leaders on Sunday lodged a formal complaint against Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi at the Urwa Police Station in Karnataka. The move escalated a political row over the recitation of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day.The controversy followed visuals from the August 15 event showing senior Congress leaders speaking among themselves while the National Song was being recited. BJP leaders alleged that the conduct amounted to disrespect towards the national song, while the Congress rejected the charge and said there was no attempt to stop the rendition.BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused the Congress leadership of showing discomfort towards the National Song and targeted Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi."Yesterday, the Congress revealed its true face to the country and the world. They harbour such hatred for 'Vande Mataram'...
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