The BJP on Sunday (August 16, 2026) alleged that opposing anything patriotic is the Congress’ policy and asked if anyone believing in the sovereignty and integrity of India would get “angry” over the invocation of Vande Mataram on Independence Day.
“The Congress has not only insulted the freedom fighters but also the Constitution of this country, its sovereignty and integrity, and the 140 crore people of this country,” Mr. Bhandari said.
He alleged that the Congress’ Opposition to Vande Mataram is part of its policy of opposing anything patriotic and questioned whether Rahul Gandhi is fit to be the Leader of Opposition. Mr. Bhandari also attacked senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram over his response to Modi’s “dimagi Naxal’ remark. “And this country’s Gen Z and youth are Gen P, Gen Patriotic, Gen Nationalist. Shah alleged that during the Independence Day programme at the Congress headquarters, party leader Sonia Gandhi asked Vande Mataram to be stopped midway through the song.
Chidambaram on Sunday (August 16) said he is proud to be a ‘dimagi Naxal’. They know that on Independence Day, when 140 crore Indians are holding the tricolour, celebrating with happiness and pride and taking the resolve of Viksit Bharat 2047 under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, only the Gandhi-Vadra family, only Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the Congress ecosystem, have a problem,” he added. Earlier reporting noted: Congress should apologise for insulting Vande Mataram on Independence Day: Amit Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (August 16, 2026) accused the Congress of insulting the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ and demanded that the party apologise to the people and to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay who wrote the song.
Earlier reporting noted: The Home Minister alleged that the Congress had forgotten Vande Mataram due to vote-bank politics.
“Any leader of Opposition who considers the Parliament of this country supreme can never insult the national song,” Mr. Bhandari said.
Earlier reporting noted: Addressing a public meeting in Chittorgarh, Mr.
Flag hoisting by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and former president of AICC, Sonia Gandhi | Photo Credit: The Hindu The BJP spokesperson said Sonia and Rahul Gandhi should apologise within 24 hours to every patriotic Indian who is “deeply angry and enraged” by the Congress’ conduct.
