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Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Demands Congress Apology Over Vande Mataram Row
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News18•16-08-2026, 15:43
Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Demands Congress Apology Over Vande Mataram Row
- •West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari sharply criticized Congress over an alleged incident involving the ‘Vande Mataram’ song at the AICC headquarters on Independence Day.
- •Adhikari accused Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the full version of the song, calling it an insult to nationalism and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
- •He stated that the entire state of West Bengal was “fuming” and demanded an unconditional apology from Congress for insulting patriotism and the national song.
- •The BJP also criticized Congress, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleging Sonia Gandhi told the Congress President to stop singing during the anthem.
- •Congress clarified that Sonia Gandhi’s actions were to arrange a chair for the elderly party president Mallikarjun Kharge, not an objection to the song.
Key Questions Answered
Sonia Gandhi allegedly objected to the full rendition of "Vande Mataram" during Independence Day celebrations at the Congress headquarters. This action was criticised as an insult to nationalism and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
The Vande Mataram controversy could affect upcoming state elections, as similar issues related to national symbols and cultural identity have gained prominence in past elections, such as the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.
