Sin won't be forgiven: Amit Shah slams Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram row

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused the Congress of “shamelessness” over an alleged attempt to stop the rendition of Vande Mataram midway during the party’s Independence Day programme, saying the “sin” would not be forgiven by the people.

Addressing a public gathering in Chittorgarh, Shah alleged that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi asked the party president to stop the national song while it was being sung at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day.

“Look at their (Congress's) shamelessness. The anthem Vande Mataram was being sung at the Congress Party headquarters. During the anthem, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi told the Congress President to stop singing. We all just kept watching on TV,” Shah said.

“Sonia ji, 140 crore people



are watching you. This sin you have committed will never be forgiven by the people of this country. How can anyone even dream of leaving the anthem Vande Mataram incomplete? The people of Congress should feel ashamed,” he added.

Shah also demanded that the Congress apologise to the people of the country and to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who wrote Vande Mataram. “If there is any shame left, you should fold your hands and apologise to Bankim Babu's immortal spirit and the people,” Shah said.

The controversy erupted after visuals from the Congress headquarters’ Independence Day programme showed senior party leaders speaking among themselves while Vande Mataram was being recited. BJP leaders subsequently claimed that the conduct amounted to disrespect towards the national song.