New Delhi: The 80th anniversary of independence is being celebrated across the country today, and great enthusiasm is visible on everyone’s faces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at the ramparts of the Red Fort and addressed the nation. ‘Vande Mataram’ has also become a topic of discussion on this Independence Day. ‘Vande Mataram’ consists of six stanzas, of which only two are traditionally sung; however, new protocols issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs suggest that the stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ should be sung.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was also held at the Congress headquarters on Saturday. ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung during the event, but the BJP has now raised questions regarding this. BJP spokesperson R.P. Singh has questioned the incident, alleging that Sonia Gandhi asked for the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ to be stopped. Furthermore, the BJP spokesperson took to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to question Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s actions.
BJP Spokesperson Questions Sonia Gandhi
BJP spokesperson R.P. Singh has raised serious questions regarding Sonia Gandhi. He claims that while ‘Vande Mataram’ was being sung on Independence Day, Sonia Gandhi allegedly became so annoyed that she instructed party workers to stop it. In response, Congress leaders have categorically stated that there was no disruption during the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’.
Congress Issues Clarification
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has clearly stated that there is no controversy surrounding ‘Vande Mataram’. He further noted that a meeting of the Congress Working Committee regarding ‘Vande Mataram’ was held in October 1937. Gandhi ji, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru were present at that meeting.
During the meeting, acting on the advice of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, it was decided that ‘Vande Mataram’ would be sung at Congress sessions. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore had advised using the opening lines, and since then, Congress workers and the public have sung ‘Vande Mataram’ at Congress sessions. There is no dispute regarding this matter.
What did Pawan Khera say?
Congress leader Pawan Khera also addressed the issue regarding Vande Mataram. Clarifying the situation, he stated that there was no disruption during the rendition of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot also offered a clarification, asserting that there is no controversy whatsoever regarding Vande Mataram.
What did BJP leader Amit Malviya say?
BJP leader Amit Malviya also raised questions regarding the Vande Mataram incident at the Congress headquarters. He alleged that after the opening verses of Vande Mataram were sung, Sonia Gandhi attempted to stop the song. Malviya also accused Rahul Gandhi of signalling for it to be stopped.
