Kangana Ranaut mocks Sonia Gandhi with meme amid Vande Mataram row

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut shared a meme comparing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to Odysseus hearing the Sirens' song, mocking her alleged reaction during the Vande Mataram rendition at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day. Hindustan Times reports that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has accused Sonia Gandhi of asking the national song to be stopped midway. The Congress denies the claim, saying she was only asking for a chair for party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Separately, the Economic Times reports that Ranaut defended Vande Mataram against veteran actor Sharmila Tagore's concern that later verses invoking Hindu deities are difficult for monotheistic followers. Ranaut argued poetry uses metaphors and urged people to move beyond religious divisions. The controversy follows Parliament clearing amendments granting Vande Mataram status at par with the national anthem.