Delhi Police Probe Sought Over Vande Mataram Incident at Congress Headquarters
Complaint alleges obstruction during national song at Independence Day event; Congress rejects BJP’s accusations
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: A complaint has been submitted to the Delhi Police seeking registration of an FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi over an alleged incident during the singing of the national song Vande Mataram at the party’s Independence Day function in New Delhi.
The complaint was filed by an advocate at the IP Estate police station on August 16, a day after the Congress organised its Independence Day programme at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters.
According to the complaint, the song was being performed during the August 15 event when Sonia Gandhi, who was present at the venue, allegedly made gestures after the opening portion had been sung. The complainant claimed that the gestures appeared to suggest an objection to continuing with the song.
The complaint further refers to a video in which Rahul Gandhi is allegedly heard saying, “We are not singing Vande Mataram.” Based on these allegations, the complainant has requested an impartial investigation and appropriate legal action if the allegations are established.
The development triggered a political confrontation between the BJP and Congress. The BJP accused senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge of showing disrespect towards the national song during the party’s Independence Day programme and demanded an apology.
Several BJP leaders also alleged that Sonia Gandhi had objected to the complete rendition of Vande Mataram at the function. The Congress, however, rejected the allegations and maintained that there was no attempt to prevent the singing of the full version of the song.
The complaint comes against the backdrop of recent legislative changes concerning national honour. Parliament last month passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to make insults to the national song a punishable offence.
The Lok Sabha approved the legislation through a voice vote on July 30, a day after the Rajya Sabha cleared it. The amended law accords Vande Mataram a status on par with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
The Delhi Police is now expected to examine the allegations and material cited in the complaint before determining whether further action is warranted.
