Sadhvi Ritambhara slams Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram row at Congress HQ
Synopsis
A video from the Congress headquarters on Independence Day showing senior leaders apparently distracted during 'Vande Mataram' has ignited a political firestorm. Padma Bhushan Sadhvi Ritambhara went straight for Sonia Gandhi, calling it an 'unforgivable offence' — reigniting one of Indian politics' most charged debates: who owns the symbols of nationhood?
Key Takeaways
Padma Bhushan Sadhvi Ritambhara on Monday publicly condemned Sonia Gandhi over an alleged show of discomfort during 'Vande Mataram' at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day .
Videos from the event reportedly showed senior Congress leaders speaking among themselves while the National Song was being recited.
Ritambhara called the incident a 'grave insult' and an 'unforgivable offence', saying those involved had 'never truly beaten for the nation.' She also criticised a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar , questioning the conduct of participants.
On democratic protest, she drew a distinction between legitimate dissent and what she called attempts to create 'anarchy', warning against 'Dimaagi Naxal' elements.
Congress had not issued an official response at the time of reporting.
Padma Bhushan Sadhvi Ritambhara on Monday launched a sharp attack on Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi over an alleged incident during the singing of the National Song 'Vande Mataram' at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day, calling it a 'grave insult' to the nation. Speaking from Mathura, Ritambhara said that those who displayed such discomfort with the National Song had never truly carried the nation in their hearts.
What the Controversy Is About
The row erupted after videos from the Independence Day programme at the Congress headquarters circulated widely, purportedly showing senior Congress leaders conversing among themselves while 'Vande Mataram' was being recited. The footage drew immediate criticism from political opponents and sparked a broader debate over patriotism and political symbolism.
What Sadhvi Ritambhara Said
Ritambhara did not mince words in her condemnation. 'Sonia Gandhi has committed a grave insult. When 'Vande Mataram' was being sung, her body language showed how uncomfortable and angry she was. These are the faces who cannot tolerate the progress of the country. Their hearts have never truly beaten for the nation, yet they have been imposed on the people of the country. The entire country and the world have witnessed this scene. She should have shown such discomfort if she was facing a terrorist,' she said.
She further invoked the historical weight of the National Song, saying: 'Hearing 'Vande Mataram' evokes memories of countless sacrifices, and love for the nation begins to surge in our hearts. It is the same 'Vande Mataram' that the freedom fighters of this country sang while making sacrifices and fighting for the nation's independence... They are so uncomfortable with 'Vande Mataram'. The whole world has seen it. This is an unforgivable offence.'
Remarks on CJP Protest at Jantar Mantar
Ritambhara also commented on an unrelated CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, questioning the conduct of participants. 'We have already seen that they are being used. The kind of food that was distributed there, how girls were dressing...such shamelessness on the soil of India. What is this? People like this should not even dream of leading India,' she said.
On Protests and Democratic Limits
Striking a more measured note on the broader question of democratic dissent, Ritambhara added: 'Protests on issues are the beauty of democracy. When those in power do not listen, people have to raise their voices. But this does not mean that if your country is like a huge banyan tree and there are termites in it, the demand should be to bring down the entire tree. The demand should be to treat the termites.' She warned against what she termed 'Dimaagi Naxal' elements who, she alleged, sought to shift decision-making from institutions to the streets, saying: 'We can never allow anarchy in this country.'
The Congress had not issued an official response to Ritambhara's remarks at the time of reporting. The episode adds to a recurring political fault line in India over displays of national symbols and the contested boundaries of patriotism.
Point of View
Rather than the party at large. Ritambhara's remarks, combining the National Song with a reference to terrorism, escalate the rhetoric considerably. The Congress's silence — if it holds — may itself become the story, as it risks ceding the symbolic high ground without contest. India's political battles are increasingly fought over images and body language rather than policy, and this episode is a textbook case of that shift.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vande Mataram controversy involving Sonia Gandhi?
Videos from the Independence Day programme at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi allegedly showed senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, speaking among themselves while 'Vande Mataram' was being sung. Critics, including Sadhvi Ritambhara, called the conduct a 'grave insult' to the National Song and to the nation.
What did Sadhvi Ritambhara say about Sonia Gandhi?
Ritambhara said Sonia Gandhi had 'committed a grave insult', alleging her body language during the National Song showed discomfort and anger. She further said those like Gandhi had 'never truly beaten for the nation' and called the incident 'an unforgivable offence.'
Has the Congress responded to the controversy?
The Congress had not issued an official response to Sadhvi Ritambhara's remarks at the time of reporting. The party's position on the viral video and the allegations had not been publicly stated.
What else did Sadhvi Ritambhara comment on?
Ritambhara also criticised a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, questioning the conduct of participants. She separately addressed the limits of democratic protest, warning against what she described as 'Dimaagi Naxal' elements seeking to move decision-making from institutions to the streets.
Why is 'Vande Mataram' politically significant in India?
'Vande Mataram' is India's National Song, with deep roots in the independence movement — it was sung by freedom fighters during the struggle against British rule. Any perceived slight toward the song carries significant political and cultural weight, making it a recurring flashpoint in debates over patriotism and national identity.
