Delhi Police received complaint against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi over alleged disruption during Vande Mataram rendition

A police complaint has been filed against Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over an alleged disruption during the rendition of the National Song, 'Vande Mataram', at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day.

The Delhi Police is currently enquiring into the complaint, which was submitted at the I.P. Estate Police Station on August 16 by advocates Shubh Sharma and Kunal Vinayak.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir confirmed on Monday that the complaint concerning the alleged incident during the August 15 programme is being enquired into.
The complainants have sought registration of an FIR and investigation into the alleged conduct of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi during the rendition.
According to the complaint, video footage circulating in the public domain shows Sonia Gandhi, after the initial portion of ‘Vande Mataram’ had been sung, making certain gestures and communicating with people around her. The complainant alleges that the gestures appeared to indicate an objection to the continuation of the rendition.
The complaint further refers to another video in which Rahul Gandhi is allegedly heard saying, "We are not singing Vande Mataram".
The complainants have, however, stated that the precise nature, intention and context of the alleged conduct would require investigation.
They have therefore asked the police to determine the applicable legal provisions, register an FIR and conduct a fair and time-bound investigation. The complaint also states that additional audiovisual material, witness details and other evidence may be provided to the investigating agency.
Complaint refers to 2026 amendment on National Song
The complainants have referred to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was passed by Parliament to extend to ‘Vande Mataram’ the statutory protection available to the National Anthem under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
The amended framework provides for punishment for a person who intentionally prevents the singing of the National Anthem or National Song, or who causes a disturbance to an assembly engaged in such singing. The offences carry imprisonment of up to 3 years, or fine, or both.
The complaint urges the police to examine whether the amended provisions are applicable to the alleged incident, including their legal status and operation on August 15.
It also cites the Supreme Court's 2018 judgment in Shyam Narayan Chouksey v. Union of India.
Separate Complaint Against Sonia Gandhi In Karnataka
The controversy has also led to a separate police complaint against Sonia Gandhi in Karnataka.
BJP leaders have approached the police alleging that her conduct during the rendition amounted to disrespect towards ‘Vande Mataram’. A complaint was reported to have been lodged in Mangaluru.
The complaints come amid a political row that began after videos from the Congress's Independence Day function showed senior party leaders interacting with one another while ‘Vande Mataram’ was being rendered.
BJP leaders have alleged that Sonia Gandhi appeared to signal that the rendition should be stopped. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also attacked the Congress leader over the incident, accusing her of seeking to halt the rendition.
The Congress has rejected the allegations. The party has maintained that there was no attempt to stop the rendition and that Sonia Gandhi was instead concerned with arrangements at the event, including asking for a chair for Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who was standing.
The Delhi complaint, at this stage, remains under police inquiry. The allegations in the complaints have yet to be substantiated by the police.

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