BJP files complaint against Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram row

BJP leaders have lodged a complaint against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi at the Urva police station in Mangaluru over her alleged conduct during the singing of Vande Mataram at the Congress Independence Day event. The complaint follows a similar one filed by two lawyers in Delhi, seeking an FIR against Gandhi for allegedly gesturing to stop the rendition of the national song. The Congress has denied the charge, saying Gandhi was only asking for a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

Separately, police in Kozhikode are probing an incident where BJP councillors sang Vande Mataram simultaneously with the national anthem during the Corporation's Independence Day function. Three complaints have been filed by the LDF, UDF, and BJP, each accusing the other of disrespecting the national symbols. No FIR has been registered in either case, with police seeking legal advice before proceeding.

Last month, Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making any insult to Vande Mataram punishable and granting it status on par with the national anthem.