The BJP accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of feeling ‘uneasy’ while singing ‘Vande Matram’ at the party’s Independence Day event on Saturday. Congress has responded by denying the accusation.
The video is from the Congress’s Independence Day event and Sonia Gandhi can be seen talking to Mallikarjun Kharge while Vande Matram is playing, followed by both Conress leaders allegedly gesturing to stop the song.
Gopal Krishna Agarwal, a BJP spokesperson, also shared a video of the event on X and said that the scene that emerged on Independence Day was “utterly shameful”.
Asked about allegations by BJP leaders, Ramesh denied that there had been any attempt to stop the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ from being sung. Gandhi was only asking for a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge as he was standing for a while. Earlier reporting noted: BJP claims Sonia ‘objected’ to full version of Vande Mataram at event, Congress denies charge The BJP on Saturday (August 15, 2026) accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at the party’s Independence Day event, even as the Opposition party denied the charge. Certain mindsets never change from pre 1947 to post 1947, the senior BJP leader added.
Agarwal said that expressing objection to the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ while it was being played, and questioning Congress workers about why it was being played, “exposes the Congress party’s mindset” adding that ‘Vande Mataram’ is not just a song; it is a historical symbol of India’s freedom struggle, national consciousness, and patriotism. “Such an attitude toward it brings to mind that old ‘Emergency mentality’—a mindset that has consistently shown a lack of respect for India’s civilization, culture, history, and national symbols.”, He said Ramesh said the issue was discussed in Parliament for 16 hours, during which his side put forward its views. He said he narrated the entire history surrounding the issue and explained to MPs the context in which the decision on ‘Vande Mataram’ was taken, adding that the Prime Minister and Home Minister were unaware of the history. “As the Congress president was standing for a long time, Soniaji was asking for a chair for him,” he said. Earlier reporting noted: Sharing video footage of the Congress’s event on X, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh said, “Mother, son and national president (of the Congress) seem to be upset by the rendering of full Vande Mataram.
Earlier reporting noted: The Congress asserted that there was no attempt to stop the singing of the full version of the national song and Ms.
