New Delhi: As the row over Vande Mataram singing at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day intensified, BJP leaders on Sunday lodged a formal complaint against Sonia Gandhi at Urwa police station in Karnataka.
The complaint, filed by BJP’s Vikas K and Rajgopal, seeks action against the Congress leader for hurting sentiments associated with the National Song. Sonia was seen speaking to party president Mallikarjun Kharge while ‘Vande Mataram’ was being and allegedly asked it to be stopped without full rendition.
As the police are yet to file an FIR, the BJP leaders pointed out that the Congress leader can be booked under relevant provisions of BNSS.
Another complaint was submitted to Delhi Police seeking registration of an FIR and investigation into Sonia’s alleged conduct during the August 15 programme.
Sonia has come under the cosh ever since the I-Day programme video surfaced on social media.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the incident had deeply offended people in the state, where Vande Mataram creator Bankim Chandra Chatterjee is revered as ‘Sahitya Samrat’.
Adhikari demanded an unconditional apology from Sonia and warned that if she didn’t, there could be widespread protests. The Bengal CM also sought an explanation from Kharge, asking him to clarify the party’s position as any insult to the National Song amounted to an insult to the nation.
Bankim Chatterjee’s kin Sumitro Chatterjee wrote to Sonia, stating that the family was deeply hurt by the insult.