Kharge Defends Independence Day Conduct Amid BJP Criticism

Drawing a direct line between his own actions and the practices of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has dismissed accusations of disrespect regarding the national song 'Vande Mataram.' He challenged his political opponents to label the historical figures themselves if his rendition constitutes a crime.

Editorial·August 18, 2026·reads: 1,930

Kharge Defends Independence Day Conduct Amid BJP Criticism

The controversy erupted after footage circulated showing Kharge and Sonia Gandhi in conversation during the national song at Congress headquarters. The BJP seized on the video, alleging a lack of decorum, but Kharge remains defiant, arguing that he adhered to the same version historically championed by the architects of modern India.

Simultaneously, the debate reached Goa, where the rendition was restricted to two stanzas during a Pradesh Congress Committee event. Beyond the song, Kharge pivoted to a broader offensive against the BJP and the RSS, questioning their historical role in the freedom struggle. He also directed sharp criticism toward Union Home Minister Amit Shah while rallying local leadership to prioritize unity ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.