'Entire Bengal fuming, Congress must apologise': CM Suvendu Adhikari slams Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram row
Adhikari Sonia Gandhi allegedly “objecting” to the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram, calling it an “insult” to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, a BJP leader, has called for an apology from the Congress party following an incident during their Independence Day event on August 15. Adhikari accused Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the full rendition of Vande Mataram, claiming it was an "insult" to nationalism and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
He stated that the entire state of West Bengal is "fuming" over the incident and accused the Congress of attempting to appease a specific vote bank. Adhikari emphasized that Vande Mataram is deeply connected to nationalism, patriotism, and national identity. The Congress denies any attempt to stop the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram, stating that Gandhi was merely requesting a chair for Mallikarjun Kharge.
The incident also drew criticism from Sumitro Chatterjee, a BJP MLA and descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who described the situation as a "shameless repetition of a historical mistake." Chatterjee demanded an apology from the Congress party, stating that any reluctance to sing the full song on Indian soil is an insult to the sacrifices of freedom fighters.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also accused the Congress of insulting the national song and demanded an apology to the people and Bankim Chandra's spirit.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
