Jaipur, August 16, 2026 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused the Congress of insulting the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ during its Independence Day programme and demanded that the party apologise to the people of the country as well as the memory of its composer, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Addressing a public gathering in Chittorgarh at the Atal Gaurav Smriti Samaroh, organised on the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shah alleged that Sonia Gandhi asked the Congress president to stop the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ midway during the party’s Independence Day programme.
Shah said the alleged incident was witnessed publicly and questioned the Congress over its treatment of a song that played a significant role during India’s freedom struggle.
Shah: Congress Must Apologise
The Home Minister accused the Congress of having “forgotten” the significance of ‘Vande Mataram’ because of what he described as vote-bank politics.
Referring to the 80th Independence Day celebrations, Shah said the national song was sung at the Red Fort and at other locations across the country where the national flag was hoisted.
He recalled that thousands of freedom fighters faced bullets, lathis and imprisonment for raising the revolutionary slogan and singing ‘Vande Mataram’ during the struggle against British rule.
Shah called upon the Congress leadership to apologise to the people and to the memory of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who authored the iconic song.
Tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee
During his address, Shah also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, highlighting his contributions to India’s development and national security.
Shah credited Vajpayee’s government with taking major strategic decisions, including strengthening India’s nuclear capabilities following the Pokhran nuclear tests, despite international pressure.
He also highlighted initiatives undertaken during Vajpayee’s tenure to improve rural connectivity, expand national highways and strengthen infrastructure.
According to Shah, the Vajpayee government also established a separate ministry focused on tribal development, marking an important step towards greater attention to tribal welfare.
Focus on Tribal Welfare
Shah said the progress of tribal communities was reflected in the election of Droupadi Murmu as President of India, describing her rise from a tribal family to the country’s highest constitutional office as an important milestone.
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has continued to give priority to tribal welfare and development.
Bhajanlal Sharma Hails Security Measures
Earlier, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said the country’s borders were becoming safer under Amit Shah’s leadership and claimed that Rajasthan was also benefiting from stronger national security measures.
Sharma praised the Modi government’s policies and said Rajasthan was progressing under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also credited Shah with playing an important role in efforts to tackle Left-wing extremism and in implementing the country’s new criminal laws.
The remarks came amid heightened political debate over national symbols and their place in Independence Day celebrations, with Shah making the alleged ‘Vande Mataram’ incident a central point of his address in Chittorgarh.
