Vande Mataram Row: Congress Accuses Amit Shah of Insulting Ambedkar

The political confrontation over the national song 'Vande Mataram' intensified on Wednesday after Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from the Congress party. The Congress hit back with a sharp retort, accusing Mr. Shah of insulting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and questioning his ideological credentials.

Addressing the media, Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said, "A man who insulted Ambedkar on the floor of the Rajya Sabha on December 17, 2024, belongs to an ideology that did not see it fit to unfurl the Tiranga at its headquarters until January 2002. A man who orchestrated the Delhi Police's brutalities against peacefully protesting youth is now demanding an apology from the Congress to divert attention from the real issues of the day and from colossal failures of his and his Sahib's."

The remarks were a direct response to Mr. Shah's earlier call for an apology over the 'Vande Mataram' controversy. The dispute traces back to recent comments made by certain Congress leaders about the song, which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) interpreted as disrespectful. Mr. Shah, while addressing a public meeting, had sought an unconditional apology from the Congress leadership.

Mr. Ramesh's allegations refer to three specific controversies. First, Mr. Shah's December 2024 Rajya Sabha speech on Dr. Ambedkar, which triggered a furore. During the debate on the Constitution, Mr. Shah praised Dr. Ambedkar but also made remarks that opposition parties found offensive. Congress and other parties staged protests, demanding that Mr. Shah apologise for "insulting" the architect of the Constitution. The government, however, maintained that Mr. Shah's remarks were misinterpreted.

Second, the Congress leader alluded to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its stance on the national flag. Historically, the RSS used its own saffron flag at its headquarters in Nagpur. It was only in 2002 that the organisation began hoisting the Indian national flag at its premises. This fact has often been cited by critics to question the RSS's nationalist credentials.

Third, Mr. Ramesh accused Mr. Shah of orchestrating alleged police excesses against peaceful protesters. This appears to be a reference to the Delhi Police's actions during various protest movements, including those by farmers and youth groups. The allegation is not new; opposition parties have frequently blamed Mr. Shah for heavy-handed policing. The Home Ministry, which Mr. Shah heads, has denied such charges.

The Congress also sought to turn the tables on the BJP, suggesting that the apology demand was a tactic to overshadow pressing national issues. "His sahib and he have failed on every front — economy, unemployment, and social harmony. Instead of answering those failures, they are picking false fights," Mr. Ramesh added.

The BJP is yet to officially respond to Mr. Ramesh's statements. However, party spokespersons have in the past defended both Mr. Shah's December 2024 remarks and the RSS's record, calling the Congress's attacks attempts to evade accountability.

The 'Vande Mataram' controversy itself has a complex history. The song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, is a central symbol of India's freedom struggle. While it has been a source of national pride, it has also sparked debates over religious sentiments in the past. The current political row underscores how the legacy of national symbols continues to be a flashpoint in Indian politics.

As the war of words escalates, the focus remains on whether the Congress will issue an apology or continue to press its counter-allegations. For now, the political rhetoric shows no signs of cooling.