PANAJI
The Goa BJP on Monday accused the Congress of insulting the national song Vande Mataram during its Independence Day programme and demanded that the party clarify its position and apologise.
BJP chief spokesperson and Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar alleged that Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders appeared uncomfortable during the rendition and questioned why it was allegedly stopped before it was completed.
Addressing a press conference, Salkar claimed the incident was witnessed widely and referred to an alleged statement by a Congress worker acknowledging that the rendition had been interrupted. He alleged that Congress leaders had displayed “double standards” over the national song.
Salkar said Vande Mataram had played an important role in India’s freedom struggle by bringing people together and promoting patriotism. Salkar said the BJP was proud of promoting the complete national song at its programmes and claimed that BJP-led governments regularly sing its full version.
He demanded that Congress leaders clarify their position on Vande Mataram and apologise to the people for what he termed an insult to the national song.
