Hindu Sena chief files complaint against Sonia Gandhi over 'Vande Mataram' row

A complaint has been filed against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, accusing her of disrespecting India's national song, 'Vande Mataram,' during an Independence Day function. The Ghaziabad MP-MLA court has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday afternoon to address the allegations.

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Today, in the Ghaziabad MP-MLA court, we filed a petition against Sonia Gandhi for insulting national honor, our national sentiment, and our national song.

Hindu Sena national president Vishnu Gupta filed the complaint, asserting that Gandhi's alleged disrespect was not merely for not singing but for actively intervening during the song's rendition at the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi on August 15. The complaint cites video footage as evidence and seeks criminal action under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

Gupta stated that Gandhi made gestures and allegedly directed the song to be stopped while it was being sung. He claimed the incident was part of a "pre-planned strategy" to create obstruction. The complaint emphasizes that the allegation stems from Gandhi's alleged active intervention, not just her choice not to participate in singing.

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As you might have seen a few days ago, on August 15th, during the Independence Day celebrations, when 'Vande Mataram' was being sung, Sonia Gandhi, as part of a pre-planned strategy, tried to create an obstruction.

The complaint references a 1986 Supreme Court judgment that distinguished between respectful non-participation and intentionally preventing a song or disturbing an assembly. Gupta expressed hope that the court would issue a notice to Gandhi, requiring her to respond or appear in person.

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We hope a notice will be issued to Sonia Gandhi, and she will either respond to it or appear in person.