Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has issued a strong clarification regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram. Speaking to the media in Goa, Kharge asserted that the version of the song he performed is the same one that has been historically sung by iconic leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He challenged the opposition by stating that if his actions are considered a crime, then the legendary figures of Indian history who followed the same practice must also be viewed through the same lens.
The Historical Precedent and Tradition
During his interaction with journalists, Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized that the Congress party has been following a tradition that's 90 years old. He mentioned that the way Vande Mataram was sung at the recent event is consistent with how Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, and even the BJP's own stalwart, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, used to sing it. Kharge pointed out that the Congress party had decided on the national songs and protocols for the country long before the current leadership of the BJP was even born. He argued that the rules of the nation aren't dictated solely by what the BJP says, noting that political landscapes change and different governments may come to power in the future.
Kharge Challenges Allegations of Crime
Addressing the accusations head-on, the Congress President stated that if singing Vande Mataram in this specific manner is an offense, then he has been committing this so-called crime for the past 18 years. He went further to say that if the authorities believe a crime has been committed, they should logically file cases against the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as they all adhered to the same tradition, while he also included Atal Bihari Vajpayee in this list, suggesting that the BJP's criticism is inconsistent with the practices of their own past leaders. Kharge's remarks were aimed at highlighting what he perceives as the selective outrage of the ruling party.
The Roots of the Controversy
The controversy originally gained momentum after August 15, when the BJP accused the Congress leadership of insulting the national song. The BJP specifically alleged that Sonia Gandhi had signaled to stop the rendition of Vande Mataram midway during a function. This political storm intensified during a recent Congress rally in Goa, where only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung instead of all six verses. The BJP has used these instances to target the Congress, claiming a lack of respect for national symbols. However, Kharge maintained that the party is simply upholding a long-standing protocol that has been part of the national movement and the party's history for nearly a century.
Political Implications and Future Outlook
Kharge concluded his defense by reminding the public and the opposition that national rules and traditions aren't the property of a single political party. He stated that just because the BJP demands a certain format today doesn't mean it becomes the permanent national rule. He suggested that if a different government comes to power tomorrow, they might establish different norms, but the Congress remains committed to the 90 year old tradition it has always followed. The Congress President's detailed response seeks to shift the narrative from an insult to national symbols to a debate over historical tradition and political consistency.