National symbols belong to the nation, not to a political party. They are among the few things in public life that should rise above ideology, electoral rivalry and partisan loyalties. Because they evoke the country’s freedom struggle, its civilisational memory and the sacrifices through which India became a republic, the Tricolour, the national anthem and the national song Vande Mataram occupy a special emotional space in the Indian imagination.
That is precisely why any political leader who appears to disrespect or dismiss a national symbol must expect public scrutiny. On August 15, 2026, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was seen agitated and hand gesturing mid-way through a full rendition of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters entailing public wrath online.
For years, the Congress president and its most powerful figure was perceived, even by many political opponents, as someone who generally maintained a measured and dignified public persona. Her politics could be criticised, her decisions could be challenged, and her leadership could be opposed, but she largely avoided the kind of theatrical political behaviour that has become increasingly common. This too has removed the myth about Sonia Gandhi being ‘graceful’ in her public conduct. Such personal remarks about age or appearance does not behove the ‘first family’ of the Congress party towards its loyal workers as it bespeaks of their lowly and insignificant existence. There is a broader lesson here for India’s political class. National symbols cannot become another battlefield in the permanent war between parties. The Tricolour does not belong to the ruling party, just as the Constitution does not belong to the Opposition. These are common possessions of Indians. Similarly, Vande Mataram can’t be bracketed as a ‘Congress’s song’ or ‘BJP’s song’.
Recently, people were also witness to Sonia Gandhi’s remark referring to her party spokesperson Pawan Khera as the “white-haired man”.
That such a misconduct has come from senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi – who had built a non-controversial public image until now – is disappointing. For common public – be it a Congress or the BJP supporter – the public disrespect shown to the national song is aggravating and demeaning. The song was deeply associated with India’s freedom movement and was sung at several important sessions of the Indian National Congress. Rajendra Prasad declaring it equal in status to the national anthem. More so, when the Congress has long projected itself as a party with a special claim to the legacy of India’s freedom movement, the misconduct of its senior leaders is puzzling. They cannot simultaneously invoke the sacrifices of the freedom struggle and appear casual about symbols that emerged from that very struggle.
Her questionable ‘conduct’ and the subsequent lame defence provided by her partymen have therefore provoked questions that go far beyond the immediate political controversy. It was adopted as the national song by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, with President Dr.
Congress’s contentious stance The Congress has historically had a complicated but important relationship with Vande Mataram.
