Cong workers sing 2 stanzas of Vande Mataram at Goa rally; Kharge attacks BJP
Congress party members sang the national song Vande Mataram at a rally in Goa to counter BJP accusations of being anti-national. The event saw political sparring between Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and the BJP over patriotism and historical contributions to India's independence.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the ongoing political polarization in India regarding national symbols and historical narratives.
PANAJI: Amid criticism from the BJP that the Congress has failed to show reverence and respect for the national song, the party sang Vande Mataram at a large meeting in Goa on Monday, attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.Kharge addressed the party's booth-level agents and workers at Verna, where he questioned the BJP's claims of patriotism.Congress Seva Dal members sang two stanzas of Vande Mataram, with the entire gathering standing at attention. Slogans of Vande Mataram were also raised repeatedly during the event.The Union home ministry has issued an order stating that all six stanzas of the national song, including the last four that were dropped by the Jawaharlal Nehru government, must be sung at all official functions and other occasions.Earlier in the day, workers of the BJP's youth wing attempted to stop Kharge's convoy outside Goa International Airport in Dabolim over the alleged "disrespect" towardsVande Mataram during an Independence…
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