Kumaraswamy says debate on Vande Mataram unnecessary

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said the discussion over Vande Mataram and the questions being raised about the song are unnecessary. Speaking in Guledagudda in Bagalkot district on Sunday, he said there should be no controversy over the song, which inspired the freedom struggle and was written before the national anthem.

The minister was responding to a query about alleged disrespect shown to Vande Mataram by members of the Gandhi family. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has clarified that she did not ask anyone to stop singing the song in Delhi, saying she was only asking a staff member to provide a chair for AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. Kumaraswamy said he believes the discussion is unnecessary and that everyone must follow the law regarding respect for Vande Mataram.