BJP protests nationwide over Vande Mataram row, Congress denies insult

The BJP has intensified protests across India, filing police complaints and holding demonstrations against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge over alleged disrespect to 'Vande Mataram' during an Independence Day event at the Congress headquarters in Delhi. The BJP claims the leaders were talking or trying to interrupt the song. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has demanded a public apology from the Congress.

In Bengaluru, the BJP youth wing filed a complaint under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, alleging Sonia Gandhi deliberately interrupted the rendition. Protests also took place in Mumbai, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Srinagar, where effigies were burnt. The BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi accused Rahul Gandhi and Kharge of being 'casually talking' during the song.

The Congress has dismissed the allegations as a political fabrication. Party officials said Sonia Gandhi was only asking for a chair for the elderly Mallikarjun Kharge and that the full song was sung. Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor said the video showed the song being sung in full and urged the government to file a case if a law was broken. Police in Mangaluru are seeking legal advice before deciding on an FIR.