Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A fresh political controversy erupted on Saturday after a video from the Congress’s Independence Day programme at its headquarters in New Delhi appeared to show party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party (CCP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi making gestures that seemed to ask workers to stop the rendition of the national song, Vande Mataram.
Rahul Gandhi was also seen appearing to follow the gesture moments later, triggering sharp reactions on social media and allegations that the Congress leadership was uncomfortable with the song being played.
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The video from the Congress event shows Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge attending the Independence Day function along with other party leaders and workers.
As the rendition of Vande Mataram continues, Sonia Gandhi and Kharge can be seen making hand gestures towards those around them, which appear to signal that the singing or playing should be stopped.
Rahul Gandhi is subsequently seen making a similar gesture. The footage has since been widely circulated online, with critics accusing the Congress leadership of disrespecting the National Song.
The Congress, however, sought to play down the controversy. Asked by reporters about the video and the allegations surrounding it, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said, “There is no controversy. Congress’ high command or Jairam Ramesh will tell you about the party’s approach”.
Notably, the development came after both Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge – Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively – skipped the Independence Day event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Delhi’s Red Fort “due to improper protocols”.
BJP VS CONGRESS ON VANDE MATARAM
The row comes amid an intensifying political battle over the rendition of Vande Mataram, particularly over whether the complete version should be used at official and public functions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly attacked the Congress over the issue, alleging that the party historically shortened the national song by retaining only its first two stanzas.
During a discussion in Parliament recently, PM Modi accused the Congress of having “cut” Vande Mataram and criticised its handling of objections to portions of the song before Independence.
Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 and later incorporated into his novel Anandamath, became a powerful slogan of India’s freedom movement.
The first two stanzas were subsequently adopted as the National Song, while the longer version contains additional passages that have historically been the subject of debate because of their religious imagery and references to Hindu traditions.
KERALA ORDER ON NATIONAL SONG
The issue has also triggered a political dispute in Kerala, where the Congress-led government recently issued Independence Day instructions for schools focusing on flag hoisting and the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, without directing institutions to sing Vande Mataram.
The development came amid a wider row over the Centre’s instructions on the national song, drawing criticism from the BJP.
Meanwhile, Vande Mataram has occupied a prominent place in this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
Prime Minister Modi’s Red Fort ceremony featured the national song before the national anthem, with the event also marking 150 years of its legacy.
The song was also played in Parliament on the final day of the Monsoon Session, with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings concluding with Vande Mataram.
Against this backdrop, the Congress event has given the BJP and other critics fresh ammunition to target the opposition party.
The Congress is yet to provide a detailed explanation of the gestures seen in the video, leaving the controversy likely to continue until the party’s leadership formally clarifies its position.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
