At the Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony at Congress headquarters in Delhi (Indira Bhawan), BJP alleged that Congress Parliamentary Party chair Sonia Gandhi attempted to stop or interfere with the singing of Vande Mataram based on her visible gestures during the song’s rendition.
Congress rejected the allegation. Congress stated that Sonia Gandhi’s gestures were meant to request a chair for party president Mallikarjun Kharge because Kharge had been standing for a long time. Congress also stated that Vande Mataram continued to be sung in full across all six stanzas as required for the ceremony.
The dispute widened to allegations about Rahul Gandhi and an alleged “hot mic” moment, including claims about a “version” of Vande Mataram. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi criticised Congress leadership for alleged disrespect, while Congress defended its conduct using historical arguments connected to Rabindranath Tagore and a Congress Working Committee understanding from 1937 that only the initial stanzas would be sung at sessions.
Union Home Ministry guidance and the 2026 national honour amendment (context for UPSC)
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