The Bharatiya Janata Party has filed police complaints against senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in Bengaluru and Mangaluru over allegations of disrespecting Vande Mataram. The BJP has alleged that Sonia Gandhi signalled for Vande Mataram to be stopped during a programme at the Congress headquarters on August 15. The party has described the alleged act as an insult to the national song and sought action. Police have not yet confirmed the registration of an FIR in the matter.
According to the BJP, the party’s youth wing filed a complaint against Sonia Gandhi at the Malleswaram police station in Bengaluru. In Mangaluru, BJP leaders filed a complaint at the Urwa police station. The complaints seek an investigation into the alleged disrespect of Vande Mataram and the alleged interruption of its singing.
BJP leaders said Vande Mataram should be respected on occasions of national importance such as Independence Day. The party alleged that a signal was given to stop the song during the programme at the Congress headquarters, which it said hurt sentiments associated with the national song.
Police have not yet clarified the status of the complaints or officially confirmed whether an FIR has been registered.
Karnataka BJP Yuva Morcha state president and MLA Dheeraj Muniraj has demanded a public apology from Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. He alleged that any inappropriate conduct involving Vande Mataram is a matter connected with national sentiment.
The BJP has said its protest will continue until the Congress leadership provides an explanation and apologises over the issue.
The Congress has not, at the time of this report, issued a clear official response regarding Sonia Gandhi’s intention or the allegations made by the BJP. The allegations therefore remain allegations pending an official response and investigation.
BJP workers held protests in several states over the Vande Mataram dispute. Party workers organised rallies, candle marches and torch processions in different cities.
In Patna, BJP Yuva Morcha workers held a candle march. In Raipur, party workers organised a rally carrying posters. BJP workers held a torch rally in Kolkata, while workers in Thiruvananthapuram also took part in a torch procession.
Through these protests, the BJP repeated its allegations against the Congress leadership and demanded action and an apology over the alleged disrespect of Vande Mataram.
The BJP has cited a video clip from the programme at the Congress headquarters while making its allegations against Sonia Gandhi. The party claims that the video shows Sonia Gandhi signalling for Vande Mataram to be stopped.
BJP leaders and workers have referred to the video in social media posts and public statements. However, the interpretation of a video clip depends on its complete context, the authenticity of the recording and responses from the parties concerned.
The facts of what occurred during the programme and the purpose of the alleged signal will become clear only after factual examination by the police or the relevant investigating agency.
The BJP has also linked the matter to recent changes in the law concerning Vande Mataram. The party has said that legislation recently passed by Parliament provides legal protection to Vande Mataram and includes provisions for action in cases involving its alleged disrespect.
According to the report, the new law passed on July 29 provides Vande Mataram with legal protection equal to that accorded to Jana Gana Mana. It is stated to provide for imprisonment, a fine, or both in cases involving intentional disrespect of Vande Mataram or obstruction of its singing.
Any action under such a law against an individual would depend on whether the relevant legal provisions apply to the facts of the case and whether the competent investigating agency finds sufficient grounds to establish the allegations.
Vande Mataram is associated with India’s freedom movement and has a particular place in Indian national consciousness. Jana Gana Mana is India’s national anthem.
The BJP is raising questions about the Congress over the respect accorded to national symbols in connection with the dispute.
The next steps by police on the complaints filed in Bengaluru and Mangaluru will determine whether the matter proceeds to a formal investigation. If an investigation begins, police may examine video recordings of the programme, statements from witnesses and other available material.
The BJP has indicated that it will continue its protest and has demanded that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi provide an explanation and apologise over the alleged disrespect.
The political and legal aspects of the matter remain under consideration. Confirmation or rejection of the allegations will depend on any official investigation and responses from the parties concerned.
