A political statement made in August erupted into fresh controversy after Hrithik Roshan’s reaction brought it back under the spotlight. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj had challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to sing the *complete* version of *Vande Mataram* if he truly intended to “smash the patriarchy”—sparking discussions on whether singing the national song holds any relevance to gender equality.
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## Rahul Gandhi’s Call to Smash Patriarchy
On August 22, 2026, during the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ outreach event in Pune, Rahul Gandhi addressed a gathering of young women and sharply criticised what he termed the “Manusmriti mindset” — a deep-rooted ideology he said confines women to restrictive roles. “Patriarchy crushes you, frightens you, controls you,” he declared, urging the audience to unite and dismantle these norms. “Smash the patriarchy,” he said, adding: “Be loud, be proud and fight for your space in society.”
In his remarks, Gandhi also took aim at how instances of abusive language at protests were discussed. He noted the Prime Minister had labelled abusive words by girls directed at him and his late mother as a “cultural shock,” yet similar verbal conduct by boys appeared to receive far less attention.
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## The Challenge: Sing *Vande Mataram* Fully
Bansuri Swaraj, leveraging Gandhi’s remarks, issued a challenge at a media briefing. She said she had no problems singing Christmas carols, the full *Vande Mataram*, or even reciting the *Shiv Tandav*, and then asked that if Gandhi truly wanted to “smash patriarchy,” he should sing the full version of *Vande Mataram*. Her statement also tied back to Congress’ internal policy of singing only the first two stanzas of *Vande Mataram* at party events — a point of criticism from the BJP.
The BJP has backed the requirement to sing all six stanzas of *Vande Mataram* at public and official events, restoring the song to its full rendition as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations. This move followed government guidelines that demand full performance in certain forums.
Swaraj did not clarify how singing the full version of *Vande Mataram* ties directly into the agenda of dismantling patriarchy, leading to a flurry of online criticism and questions.
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## Hrithik Roshan’s Reaction: “Huh? Is this real. Wow.”
The debate rewound to public attention when Congress’s national convenor for Social Media and Digital Communications, Ruchira Chaturvedi, posted the video of Swaraj’s August comments on Instagram. Hrithik Roshan’s reaction was brief but pointed: “Huh? Is this real. Wow.”
His comment quickly amassed over 10,000 likes and drew more than 100 replies. Many users echoed his uncertainty and skepticism, questioning the logic behind equating singing a patriotic song with fighting systemic gender inequality.
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## Context and Wider Political Undertones
Swaraj’s remarks come amidst an ongoing debate around *Vande Mataram* — how many stanzas should be sung at party events, and whether the full version is mandatory. The BJP has consistently criticised Congress for restricting the song to only its first two stanzas at their programmes, describing such actions as disrespectful to national protocols.
In August, BJP general secretary Smriti Irani went further: she challenged Gandhi not only to sing the complete song at Congress headquarters but also to formally support legislation for women’s reservation in legislatures, proposing 33% quota.
This debate over *Vande Mataram* has thus become a proxy for discussions around nationalism, gender equality, constitutional norms, and political symbolism — showing how cultural artefacts can be deeply intertwined with contemporary political discourse.
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## Social Media Response & Satire
Online responses were swift, ranging from pointed criticism to humorous takes. Many questioned the connection between singing a song and combating patriarchy, while others accused Swaraj of confusing patriotism with gender rights.
Comments under Hrithik’s reply included observations such as “She got confused between patriarchy and patriotism,” alongside jokes and memes. Some indicated that the controversy says more about political posturing and symbolism than about actionable strategies for gender justice.
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## Why the Full Version of *Vande Mataram* Is Important Politically
The issue isn’t just about song lyrics — it’s about identity, authority, and national symbolism. The full version of *Vande Mataram*, including references to figures like Goddess Durga, has been elevated under government directives and symbolic observances.
For the BJP, insisting on the six stanzas aligns with their larger cultural and political agenda — reinforcing traditional patriotic symbols. Meanwhile, objections by Congress over singing only excerpts centre on concerns for inclusivity, minorities, and the balance between respecting tradition and avoiding compulsion.
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## The Unresolved Question: Patriarchy vs Patriotism
Although Swaraj’s challenge links *Vande Mataram* with smashing patriarchy, there remains a gap in perceived logic: How does singing the national song — in full — directly address gender-based oppression, unequal power structures, societal norms?
Even in her statement, Swaraj did not offer a clear explanation of how the act of singing every stanza constitutes a step towards gender equality — leaving space for interpretations, commentary, and criticism.
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## Conclusion: More Than Just a Song
Hrithik Roshan’s simple, incredulous reaction has served to recast Swaraj’s August statement in public view. But it has not resolved the tension between symbolic gestures and actual policy change.
The challenge posed — singing *Vande Mataram* fully — is part of a broader debate about national identity, patriotism, and the role of cultural symbolism in political discourse. Whether it can meaningfully contribute to tearing down patriarchy remains deeply contested.
The real work, many argue, lies in structural reforms, societal attitudes, and legal protections — not necessarily in who sings what song. This back-and-forth is part of India’s ongoing reflection on what it means to love your country, respect its symbols, and uphold equality for all citizens.
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