Amit Shah criticises Congress over Vande Mataram video; Sonia Gandhi at centre

New Delhi: A political controversy has erupted after a viral video allegedly shows Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, gesturing to stop the rendition of Vande Mataram at an event. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has targeted the Congress president over the incident, accusing the party of insulting the national song.

In a public meeting, Shah said, "Congress should feel ashamed. They cannot tolerate the national song Vande Mataram. This is an insult to the country." He further alleged that the Congress has always shown disrespect towards national symbols.

The video, which has been widely shared on social media platforms, purportedly captures the moment when the national song was being played and Congress leaders raise their hands to signal the organisers to stop it. The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified by this publication.

Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, holds a special place in India's freedom struggle. It was sung at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress and later became a rallying cry for independence. In 1950, the Constitution designated it as the "national song" of India, though it does not have the same legal status as the national anthem.

The song has, however, been a matter of political debate over the years. In 1937, the Congress itself faced criticism from some Muslim leaders over the song's verses, which led to a compromise where only the first two stanzas were sung at Congress sessions. This historical nuance is often cited in such controversies.

Following Shah's remarks, the Congress party has not issued an official response at the time of writing. However, party leaders and supporters have taken to social media to dismiss the video, with some claiming it has been doctored or taken out of context. They argue that the leaders were not signalling to stop the song but were engaging in a different gesture.

The incident has intensified the political rivalry between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, particularly with elections approaching. The BJP has frequently accused the Congress of being anti-national and disrespecting Indian culture and traditions. The Congress, in turn, has accused the BJP of misrepresenting facts for electoral gains.

Political observers note that the controversy over Vande Mataram is not new. In 2017, a similar video involving Congress leaders went viral, but no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing was found. Such incidents often fade after a few days, but they serve to deepen the ideological divide between the two parties.

The event at which the video was recorded has not been identified, and it is unclear when it took place. The lack of clarity has led to further speculation, with both sides using the ambiguity to their advantage.

This development also highlights the sensitivity of national symbols in Indian public life. Vande Mataram is not just a song but a symbol of patriotism, and any perceived disrespect to it triggers strong emotional reactions across the political spectrum.

As the video continues to circulate, there are demands from some BJP leaders for an apology from the Congress. The Congress, on its part, has not yet indicated whether it will take any action or issue a statement. The controversy is likely to dominate political discourse in the coming days.