# BJP MP challenges Rahul Gandhi to sing Vande Mataram, Hrithik Roshan reacts

2026-09-29T12:17:12+00:00 | Politics | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj has dared Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to sing the full version of Vande Mataram if he truly wants to 'smash the patriarchy'. The challenge, originally made at a programme in Pune last month, resurfaced after actor Hrithik Roshan reacted to a social media post about it. Swaraj's remarks came in response to Gandhi's speech at 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' in Pune, where he called for ending what he described as a patriarchal mindset that restricts women. Hrithik Roshan, commenting on an Instagram reel by Congress social media convenor Ruchira Chaturvedi, wrote: 'Huh? Is this real. Wow.' The comment has drawn over 12,000 likes. The exchange highlights the ongoing political debate over the phrase 'smash the patriarchy', with Swaraj using the national song to counter Gandhi's call for gender equality. No further reaction has come from Gandhi or the Congress party so far.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Both NDTV and Hindustan Times report the same exchange factually, with no editorial slant. NDTV leads with Hrithik Roshan's reaction, while Hindustan Times provides fuller context of Rahul Gandhi's original speech and Swaraj's challenge. The uniform neutral coverage reflects the story's nature as a political-social media soundbite, not a policy event. The only development to watch is whether the Congress or Gandhi issues a formal response.

## Coverage

- ndtv.com (neutral report) <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/is-this-real-hrithik-roshan-on-bjp-mps-sing-vande-mataram-to-smash-patriarchy-12113955#publisher=newsstand>
  Reports the video and reaction without analysis or slant
- hindustantimes.com (neutral report) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/hrithik-roshan-reacts-to-bjp-mp-bansuri-swaraj-suggestion-of-singing-vande-mataram-to-smash-the-patriarchy-rahul-gandhi-101790679068456.html>
  Provides context of Gandhi's speech and Swaraj's challenge without bias

Tags: Bansuri Swaraj, Hrithik Roshan, Rahul Gandhi, Vande Mataram
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/bjp-mp-challenges-rahul-gandhi-to-sing-vande-mataram-hrithik-roshan-reacts/
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Cite: https://indianopinion.org/bjp-mp-challenges-rahul-gandhi-to-sing-vande-mataram-hrithik-roshan-reacts/#story-in-brief