A political controversy has arisen following a video released from the Congress Independence Day programme held at its headquarters in New Delhi. The footage reportedly depicts party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi gesturing towards party workers, seemingly instructing them to cease the rendition of the national song, Vande Mataram. Rahul Gandhi also appears to mimic this gesture shortly afterwards, leading to significant reactions across social media platforms and accusations that the Congress leadership is uncomfortable with the song being performed.

The video showcases Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, along with other party leaders and members, participating in the Independence Day ceremony. As Vande Mataram is being sung, both Sonia Gandhi and Kharge can be seen making hand gestures that allegedly indicate a request to stop the performance. Following this, Rahul Gandhi is observed making a similar motion. The circulation of this footage has prompted critics to accuse the Congress leadership of showing disrespect towards the national song.

Congress Leadership Responds to Allegations

In response to inquiries about the video and the ensuing controversy, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot commented, “There is no controversy. Congress’ high command or Jairam Ramesh will inform you about the party’s stance.” This assertion attempts to mitigate the uproar surrounding the incident and clarify that the gestures were not intended to signal a rejection of the national song.

This occurrence follows the decision of both Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively, to skip the Independence Day event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Red Fort in Delhi, citing “improper protocols” as their reason for absence. This absence has compounded existing tensions between the Congress and BJP regarding national symbols and their appropriateness in political narratives.

The political dynamics surrounding the rendition of Vande Mataram have intensified, particularly concerning whether the complete version should be played at public and official events. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly accused the Congress party of historically shortening the national song by only singing the first two stanzas, which has led to further criticisms of its historical treatment of the song.

Broader Context of the National Song Debate

The controversy surrounding Vande Mataram has also extended to Kerala, where the Congress-led government recently issued directives for Independence Day that emphasised flag hoisting and the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, yet notably omitted any mention of Vande Mataram. This decision has sparked a political dispute, with critics accusing the government of sidelining the national song amidst broader concerns regarding its prominence in celebrations.

Significantly, Vande Mataram featured prominently in this year’s Independence Day festivities. During Prime Minister Modi’s ceremony at the Red Fort, the national song was performed prior to the national anthem; this event also marked the 150th anniversary of its legacy. Moreover, the song was played during the concluding sessions of Parliament, signalling its sustained relevance in national discourse.

As the Congress party has yet to issue a comprehensive explanation regarding the gestures seen in the video, the possibility of continued controversy remains. This incident provides the BJP and other opposition parties with additional points to critique the Congress, highlighting ongoing disputes over national symbols and their implications in political discourse.

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