BJP Files Complaint Against Sonia Gandhi Over Vande Mataram Row: ‘She Disrespected National Song’

Last Updated:August 16, 2026, 4:56 PM IST

The BJP has alleged that Sonia Gandhi “disrespected” the national song during the Independence Day event on Saturday.

Sonia Gandhi was seen talking with Mallikarjun Kharge while the national song was being played. (Image: X)

Vande Mataram row: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday filed a police complaint against Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi for allegedly “disrespecting” the national song during the Independence Day celebrations on Saturday. The complaint has been filed at Mangaluru police station in Karnataka.

The controversy erupted after a video surfaced on X showing Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge speaking among themselves while the national song was being played. The BJP alleged that Gandhi gestured to stop the rendition rather than allow it to be played in full.

BJP Claims Sonia Gandhi Sought To Stop Rendition Of ‘Vande Mataram’

Earlier on Saturday, BJP leader Amit Malviya shared the video on X, alleging that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi sought to stop the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ at the party headquarters on Independence Day.

In a post on X, Malviya claimed that Sonia appeared “agitated” after the initial stanzas were sung and asked for the rendition to be stopped, while Rahul Gandhi also appeared to signal that it should end. He alleged that the leaders were later told to let the song continue, following which the national song was sung in full. Malviya also accused the Gandhi family and the Congress of having an “uneasy relationship” with what he described as a culturally confident and civilisationally rooted India.

The Congress, however, denied that there was any attempt to stop the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’, saying Gandhi was merely asking for a chair for Kharge.

Amit Shah Slams Congress

The video has triggered a controversy. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also slammed the Congress, accusing the party of showing “shamelessness” amid the row.

“Look at their (Congress’s) shamelessness. The anthem Vande Mataram was being sung at the Congress Party headquarters. During the anthem, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi told the Congress President to stop singing,” he said while addressing a rally in Chittorgarh.

While, the BJP’s Gujarat unit accused the grand-old party of insulting the national song. “The Congress party has once again insulted the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ and exposed its mentality,” the party posted on X.

Key Questions Answered

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What are the legal implications of this police complaint?

A police complaint has been filed against Sonia Gandhi, alleging disrespect of the national song “Vande Mataram” during Independence Day celebrations. The complaint, filed in Mangaluru, Karnataka, by a BJP leader, seeks legal action under Section 3 of the “Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act” and Sections 195 and 352 of the Indian Justice Code.

Could this incident affect Sonia Gandhi’s public image?

The incident could affect Sonia Gandhi’s public image as the BJP has filed a police complaint against her for allegedly disrespecting the national song during Independence Day celebrations. Critics have accused the Congress leadership of showing a lack of respect for Vande Mataram, turning the issue into a wider debate over patriotism and nationalism.

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Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish…Read More

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