Amit Shah accused Sonia Gandhi of asking party leaders to halt the national song Vande Mataram halfway through an Independence Day event at the Congress headquartersHe described the alleged move as a “sin” that, he said, would never be forgiven.
Published: August 16, 2026, 4:02 PM IST
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacked Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over the Vande Mataram rowPTI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (August 16) launched a sharp attack on the Congress over Vande Mataram, accusing Sonia Gandhi of stopping the national song midway at the party headquartersShah was speaking in Rajasthan’s Nimbahera, where he unveiled a 21-foot-tall statue of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary.
Referring to a video from the Congress headquarters, Shah said, “Look at their (Congress’s) shamelessnessThe anthem Vande Mataram was being sung at the Congress Party headquartersDuring the anthem, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi told the Congress President to stop singingWe all just kept watching on TV.”
“Sonia ji, 140 crore people are watching youThis sin you have committed will never be forgiven by the people of this countryHow can anyone even dream of leaving the anthem Vande Mataram incomplete? The people of Congress should feel ashamed,” he said while addressing a public gathering.
The controversy erupted after visuals from the Independence Day programme at the Congress headquarters showed senior party leaders speaking among themselves while Vande Mataram was being recitedBJP leaders have criticised their conduct, alleging that it amounted to disrespect towards the National Song.
BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged that Sonia Gandhi had objected to the full rendition of the National Song during the Independence Day event at the Congress headquartersMalviya claimed that Sonia Gandhi became “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 endHe alleged that the song was nevertheless allowed to continue and was eventually sung in full.
“For the first time, the entire ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung at the Congress headquarters on Independence DayAfter the initial stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung, Sonia Gandhi became agitated and asked for the rendition to be stopped rather than played in fullRahul Gandhi too appeared to signal that it should end,” Malviya saidHowever, the Congress asserted that Sonia Gandhi’s actions had nothing to do with the national song played at the venueThe party maintained that she was merely trying to ensure that the correct arrangements for Vande Mataram were sung properly in the event.
