# BJP, Congress clash over Sonia Gandhi’s Vande Mataram reaction

2026-08-15T09:36:13+00:00 | Politics | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

The BJP on Saturday accused Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the full rendition of Vande Mataram at the Congress’s Independence Day event. Congress denied the charge, saying Gandhi was asking workers to bring a chair for party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who had been standing for some time. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the full version was sung at the event at Indira Bhawan. The BJP cited video footage to criticise Gandhi and other Congress leaders. Ramesh said Congress traditionally used the opening stanzas on Rabindranath Tagore’s advice in 1937, but denied any attempt to interrupt Saturday’s rendition. The dispute follows Parliament’s passage of a law placing Vande Mataram on the same legal footing as Jana Gana Mana.

## Coverage

- rediff.com <https://www.rediff.com/news/report/full-vande-mataram-sung-at-congs-independence-day-event-bjp-says-sonia-objected-to-it/20260815.htm>
- thefederal.com <https://thefederal.com/category/news/bjp-congress-clash-over-sonia-gandhis-alleged-vande-mataram-objection-253632>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bjp-claims-sonia-objected-to-full-version-of-vande-mataram-at-event-congress-denies-charge/article71349117.ece>

Tags: BJP, Congress, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Vande Mataram
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