New Delhi [India], August 20 (ANI): Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday targeted the Congress party over its stance on Vande Mataram after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) decided to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram, in line with the party's 1937 resolution.
Speaking with ANI, he accused the Congress leadership of disrespecting the legacy of India's freedom fighters and operating under ideological pressure.
"This is not just opposition to Vande Mataram but against our revolutionaries," Singh said, adding, "Now, the Congress has become the Muslim League. This is not Gandhi ji's Congress but Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's Congress."
On Wednesday the Congress Working Committee also decided that only the first two stanzas of the national song would be sung at party events, citing the party's own 1937 resolution.
The decision followed days of controversy after the BJP accused Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party parliamentary chairperson Sonia Gandhi of conversing while the national song was being rendered during Independence Day celebrations on August 15, and demanded a public apology.
After the CWC meeting, Congress MP KC Venugopal said the party's stand on the recitation of Vande Mataram was clear and that it would follow the decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937.
Extending his attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, the Union Minister further raised concerns over his political rhetoric and allegations surrounding his citizenship.
"A case of dual citizenship is being heard against Rahul Gandhi. Take a look at Rahul Gandhi's statements from the last 12 years; none of them is in favour of India," Singh added.
Singh also attacked Rahul Gandhi over his political conduct and accused him of continuing to project himself as an "angry man" despite repeated electoral setbacks.
"Even after being repeatedly rejected by the public, Rahul Gandhi ji's pretence of being an 'angry man' continues," he said.
The Union Minister further alleged that Rahul Gandhi had intentions of "breaking the country", describing the Congress leader's political approach.
Singh's remarks came amid a wider political controversy over Vande Mataram, with the national song becoming a point of political debate between the ruling BJP and the Congress.
He also referred to the Congress's Independence Day observance and commented on the expressions of party leaders during the rendition of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters on August 15.
"On August 15, look at the faces of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge during the full rendition of 'Vande Mataram' at the Congress office. It looked as if someone was making them drink poison," Singh said. (ANI)
"This is not Gandhi ji's Congress": Giriraj Singh slams opposition over Vande Mataram row, says party has turned into "Muslim League"
