'You were working for Britishers': Kharge flays BJP; Vande Mataram debate rages in RS

NEW DELHI: As the Rajya Sabha met connected Tuesday for a peculiar treatment marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, the league rapidly turned combative. Congress president and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge utilized the juncture to criticise BJP’s ideological predecessors, accusing them of “working for the Britishers,” portion Congress leaders were warring for independence.Kharge said the Congress had played a cardinal relation successful turning

Vande Mataram

into a rallying telephone against British rule. “Your (BJP) past is that you were ever against the state conflict and patriotic songs. When Mahatma Gandhi started the non-cooperation question successful 1921, lakhs of state fighters from the Congress went to jailhouse chanting 'Vande Mataram'. What were you doing? You were moving for the Britishers,” helium said.

He besides alleged that PM Modi “leaves nary accidental to insult Jawaharlal Nehru,” adding, “Home Minister

Amit Shah

follows the same," arsenic quoted by ANI.Earlier successful the House, Shah rejected Opposition claims that the treatment was politically timed up of the West Bengal assembly elections. He said critics needed to “think afresh” astir the bequest and value of the nationalist song. “Some radical judge that due to the fact that determination are elections successful Bengal, this treatment is being held. They privation to nexus the glorification of Vande Mataram with the West Bengal elections. I deliberation they request to reconsider their understanding,” helium said. Describing the opus arsenic an “immortal instauration that awakens devotion and work toward Mother India,” helium urged members to presumption the statement beyond electoral politics.Vande Mataram, archetypal composed independently and aboriginal included successful Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s 1882 caller Anandamath, completed 150 years connected November 7, 2025.