The Bharatiya Janata Party has filed two complaints against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh over allegations related to the Vande Mataram rendition at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day.
New Delhi: The political battle over the Vande Mataram rendition at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day escalated on Sunday after the Bharatiya Janata Party filed complaints against Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
The controversy gained nationwide attention after BJP leaders alleged disrespect towards the national song during the August 15 programme, while the Congress rejected the allegations and said the incident has been misinterpreted. The dispute has now moved beyond political statements, with legal complaints adding a new dimension to the debate over national symbols, patriotism and political responsibility.
BJP has filed complaints against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh over allegations linked to the Vande Mataram rendition at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day.
In Mangaluru, BJP leader Vikas Puttur approached Urwa police station, alleging… pic.twitter.com/VB4PB0RXeu
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The Bharatiya Janata Party has intensified its response by approaching authorities in two states over the alleged incident. In Karnataka’s Mangaluru, BJP leader Vikas Puttur submitted a complaint at Urwa Police Station, alleging that the Vande Mataram rendition was interrupted during the Congress headquarters event. The complaint seeks legal action and registration of an FIR based on the allegations.
In Uttar Pradesh, former village head Nageshwar Mishra, a resident of Tilmapur under the Sarnath police station area of Varanasi, submitted a complaint to the Police Commissioner. Mishra has demanded action against Sonia Gandhi and said video footage from the event would be provided as evidence in support of his complaint. The complaints have transformed the issue from a political argument into a matter that could now face legal examination.
The controversy began after videos from the Independence Day celebration at the Congress headquarters surfaced online. The visuals showed senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, interacting while Vande Mataram was being performed.
BJP leaders claimed that the gestures visible in the video indicated an attempt to stop the complete rendition of the national song. The allegation quickly spread across social media, triggering a political confrontation. The Congress, however, rejected the accusations and said there was no attempt to interrupt Vande Mataram. The party stated that Sonia Gandhi’s actions were related to event arrangements and ensuring comfort for Mallikarjun Kharge, who had been standing for a long time.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on the Congress during an event in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Shah accused the Congress leadership of disrespecting Vande Mataram and demanded an apology from the party to the people of India and to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who wrote the national song.
He also linked the controversy with the larger political debate around nationalism, cultural identity and the role of national symbols in public life. Shah further alleged that Congress had ignored the importance of Vande Mataram due to political considerations, while highlighting the song’s historic connection with India’s freedom movement.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, alleging that she insulted the national song Vande Mataram by directing it to be stopped during its rendition at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day. Shah said Congress had… pic.twitter.com/FEd8HZLOQs
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Several BJP leaders have joined the criticism against the Congress over the controversy. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused the Congress leadership of showing discomfort during the national song’s rendition and questioned the party’s approach towards Vande Mataram.
BJP IT department head Amit Malviya also alleged that Sonia Gandhi objected to the complete version of the song and claimed that Rahul Gandhi appeared to signal that the rendition should end. The Congress has denied these allegations and maintained that the visuals have been wrongly interpreted.
The controversy also drew a reaction from the family of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the writer of Vande Mataram. BJP MLA Sumitro Chatterjee, who is a direct descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, wrote to Sonia Gandhi expressing concern over what he described as an insult to the national song.
Chatterjee highlighted the historical importance of Vande Mataram and its connection with India’s freedom struggle. He referred to the contribution of leaders and revolutionaries associated with the movement, including Rabindranath Tagore, Khudiram Bose and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. His remarks added an emotional and historical angle to the ongoing political debate.
The Congress has strongly denied the accusations and said Sonia Gandhi did not object to the singing of Vande Mataram. The party explained that the discussion visible in the video was related to arrangements at the venue and ensuring that senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge could sit comfortably. Congress leaders have accused the BJP of creating a political controversy out of an Independence Day programme and using national symbols for political attacks.
The controversy has brought the national song back into the centre of political discussions. Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Vande Mataram became one of the most powerful symbols of India’s freedom movement and continues to hold cultural and emotional significance for millions of citizens.
The BJP has framed the issue as a matter of respect towards national heritage, while the Congress has argued that the controversy is politically motivated. The debate highlights how national symbols continue to influence political conversations in India.
With complaints now filed in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, police authorities will examine the allegations and decide the next course of action based on available evidence. At the political level, the controversy is expected to continue as both BJP and Congress attempt to shape public opinion ahead of upcoming electoral battles.
The Vande Mataram row has emerged as another major flashpoint between the two parties, combining legal complaints, political accusations and a wider debate over nationalism and national identity.
