BJP Protests Against Congress Leaders Over Vande Mataram Incident

The BJP organized a candlelight march in Mandi, led by Jairam Thakur, to protest against Congress leaders for allegedly disrespecting the national song Vande Mataram. Thakur accused prominent Congress figures of attempting to halt the song's rendition during an Independence Day event. He called for legal action against those responsible and emphasized the need for full respect towards the national anthem. The protest attracted various BJP members and highlighted ongoing tensions between the two parties regarding national pride and representation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 16, 2026, 22:12 IST

BJP's Candlelight Vigil in Mandi

Munish Sood
Mandi: On Saturday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized a candlelight march in Mandi, accusing prominent Congress figures of showing disrespect towards the national song, Vande Mataram. The demonstration was spearheaded by Jairam Thakur, the former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and current Leader of Opposition.

The march commenced from the BJP district office located at Raj Mahal and concluded outside the Congress district office at Gandhi Bhawan in Chauhatta Bazaar. During the event, BJP leaders and supporters chanted slogans against Congress leadership while singing the full version of Vande Mataram.

Following the march, Jairam Thakur addressed attendees, claiming that a regrettable incident occurred outside the Congress headquarters in New Delhi during an Independence Day event on August 15.

Thakur accused Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi of attempting to halt the rendition of Vande Mataram midway. He asserted that the song was only allowed to continue after participants were reminded of Parliament's regulations regarding its complete performance.

Describing the alleged incident as an affront to the national song, Thakur called for stringent legal action against the Congress leaders involved.

He emphasized that for many years, the nation had only been exposed to a shortened version of Vande Mataram, and he praised the NDA government's initiative to promote its full rendition, which he claimed had been positively received nationwide.

Thakur further stated that this controversy revealed what he termed the Congress leadership's 'hollow nationalism' and criticized the party for failing to embrace the new regulations.

He urged the Central Government to take decisive legal measures against those found guilty of disrespecting the national song, arguing that such actions would deter similar occurrences in the future.

The BJP has resolved to hold protests outside Congress offices across the nation to express their discontent with the Congress leadership's stance on Vande Mataram.

The protest saw participation from various BJP members, including Nachan MLA Vinod Kumar, Sundernagar MLA Rakesh Jamwal, Balh MLA Inder Singh Gandhi, Sarkaghat MLA Dalip Thakur, Drang MLA Puran Chand, BJP state general secretary Payal Vaidya, former MLA Hira Lal, Mandi Mayor Suman Thakur, and BJP district president Nihal Chand Sharma, along with numerous party workers.