Amit Shah targets Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram row, seeks apology; full version of song played, says Congress

A political controversy erupted on Sunday after Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of attempting to halt the complete rendition of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters during Independence Day celebrations. Shah asserted that the party should extend an apology to the nation for its leader's actions.

However, the Congress refuted the allegations, asserting that the full version of Vande Mataram was indeed sung at their Independence Day event. Speaking in Nimbahera, Rajasthan, Shah criticized the Congress for its perceived lack of respect for Vande Mataram, highlighting the sacrifices made by thousands who fought for India's independence.

He alleged that Sonia Gandhi's intervention during the song on Independence Day reflected the party's disregard for the national anthem. The Congress, in response, argued that there was no intention to stop the song and that Sonia Gandhi merely requested a chair for Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The Congress leader contended that the tradition of singing the first few lines of Vande Mataram at Congress functions has been followed since 1937, as suggested by Rabindranath Tagore.