Vande Mataram row: Union Minister says debate unnecessary, Congress MP refuses to sing

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday called the discussion around Vande Mataram unnecessary, saying the song inspired the freedom struggle and there is no problem in singing it. He added that there is a law requiring respect for the song. He was responding to questions about an incident involving Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who has clarified she did not ask anyone to stop singing Vande Mataram but was asking for a chair for party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Separately, Congress MP Imran Masood said on Monday he would stand for Vande Mataram but would not sing it, citing his constitutional right to practice his religion. He said he had never sung the song before and would not do so in the future. The remarks follow a complaint by the BJP against Sonia Gandhi, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleging she asked workers to stop the rendition at the party headquarters. The BJP has accused the Congress of disrespecting the national song.

Sonia Gandhi has denied the allegation. The row erupted after the first formal full rendition of Vande Mataram was held at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day.