NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday defended the version of Vande Mataram sung at the party’s Independence Day programme, saying it was the same version historically sung by Congress leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.Kharge said that if singing that version was considered an offence, the government should also register cases against the late leaders. He also referred to Congress’s historical role in deciding which national songs would be adopted.“I sang the same ‘Vande Mataram’ that Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru sang. If singing it is a crime, then they have been committing that crime for the past 18 years. If this is a crime, then file a case against Gandhi ji. If this is a crime, file one against Nehru ji. If this is a crime, then against Vallabhbhai Patel. They are unaware of the fact that, even before they were born, Congress had passed a resolution determining which national songs to adopt for the country. It is not the case that whatever you say becomes the national standard. Tomorrow, another government might come to power; if they say something, that becomes the rule. We have simply continued the practice that has been in place for 90 years,” he told news agency ANI.The BJP had criticised the Congress after a video from the party headquarters showed Kharge and Sonia Gandhi speaking while Vande Mataram was being performed during the August 15 Independence Day programme. The BJP accused the Congress leadership of disrespecting the national song and sought an apology.The issue remained part of the political discourse in Goa as well. At a Pradesh Congress Committee programme on Monday attended by Kharge, two stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung.
Kharge questions BJP, RSS freedom struggle role
Kharge also targeted the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during a public rally in South Goa. He questioned their contribution to India’s freedom movement and accused them of being “anti-India” and “anti-religion.”He also referred to repeated BJP attacks on the Gandhi family and contrasted his political experience with that of Union home minister Amit Shah, saying he had become an MLA before Shah was born.Kharge further accused the ruling party in Goa of “kidnapping” MLAs to form the government.
Congress turns focus to 2027 Goa polls
During his visit, Kharge met Goa Pradesh Congress Committee leaders as the party began preparing for the 2027 Assembly elections.He said he had spoken to Congress leaders about maintaining unity ahead of the polls and expressed confidence in the party workers.
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“I called all our leaders and spoke with them; I emphasized that we must fight the upcoming election unitedly. They assured me that they would stand together and win this time. Subsequently, I met with representatives from various sections of society, listened to their concerns, and engaged with them. I am happy that the Congress leaders here are working together with courage, despite the local government’s attempts to intimidate and suppress us–tactics that will not succeed. In a democracy, when a government comes to power, it should act responsibly; when another government takes over, it too must operate within the rules. Our people will certainly do what is necessary to win the election peacefully,” Kharge said.
