Kumaraswamy attacks Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram, Congress hits back

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has triggered a political row by questioning Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's patriotism over the national song Vande Mataram, referring to her Italian origin. Kumaraswamy told reporters in Hassan that "the blood flowing in her is Italian" and asked what she had sacrificed, though he acknowledged her husband Rajiv Gandhi's sacrifice. The controversy began after a video from Congress's Independence Day event showed Sonia Gandhi appearing to stop the singing of Vande Mataram midway.

The BJP, including Home Minister Amit Shah, accused the Congress of disrespecting the national song. However, the Congress maintains that Sonia Gandhi was only trying to ensure the correct arrangements for Vande Mataram were sung properly. Karnataka minister Rizwan Arshad hit back at Kumaraswamy, calling him a "frustrated man" and asserting that Sonia Gandhi is "more Indian than many Indians." Kumaraswamy has since repeated his remarks, insisting she is Italian and opposing Indian sentiments.