NEW DELHI: A fresh political controversy erupted following the Congress’ Independence Day celebrations after a video from the party headquarters showed Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi referring to the rendition of Vande Mataram as “our own song,” while a separate clip triggered allegations that senior Congress leaders had tried to halt the full version of the national song.
The controversy relates to the Independence Day programme held at Indira Bhawan, the All India Congress Committee headquarters in New Delhi, on Saturday.
In a video circulating on social media, Rahul Gandhi is heard saying in English, “We are not singing Vande Mataram. It’s our version of Vande Mataram,” before adding in Hindi, “Hum yahan pe apna gaana gaa rahe hain” — “We are singing our own song here.”
The remarks drew criticism from political opponents and commentators, who accused the Congress leader of distancing himself from the national song. The precise context in which Gandhi made the remarks, however, has become part of the wider political dispute.
The row intensified after another video from the same event showed Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi making gestures while the full rendition of Vande Mataram was underway.
