Delhi Police probe into complaint against Sonia, Rahul over Vande Mataram

What Happened

The Delhi Police have initiated an enquiry into a complaint that seeks to register an FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi over an alleged disruption during the singing of Vande Mataram at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day. The complaint was filed on August 16 at a local police station by advocates Kunal Vinayak and Shubh Sharma. The document describes gestures by Sonia Gandhi and an assertion attributed to Rahul Gandhi that they were not singing the National Song, and it references video footage and media reports as part of the allegations. The complainants also invoked the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and asked the police to verify the bill’s status on the date of the incident and of registration of the complaint, while examining the allegations. Police said the allegations have not been established yet and that the matter is under enquiry.

Sources report that the incident occurred during the Independence Day programme at the Congress headquarters, with Sonia Gandhi present at Indira Bhawan and Rahul Gandhi allegedly making a remark about not singing Vande Mataram. The complaint cites a Supreme Court ruling from 2018 and argues the amendment would extend penalties to the National Song. A legal advocate involved in the filing asserted the amendment has presidential assent and is enforceable, framing the issue as a matter of national honour.

Why It Matters

The inquiry touches on how national symbols are treated at political events and the legal boundaries around interference with the singing of national songs. The discussion has also intersected with a recent bill that proponents say extends protections to the National Song, potentially shaping how future incidents are prosecuted or investigated. Political opponents have framed the incident within broader debates over respect for national symbols.