A controversy erupted today after a video purportedly showing Congress President Rahul Gandhi "disrespecting" national song 'Vande Mataram' at a public rally here surfaced and went viral.
The BJP slammed Gandhi, saying he does not have respect for the national song, a charge dismissed by the Congress as "absolutely false."
" ""He (Gandhi) does not have respect for national song. What can we expect from him," tweeted BJP on its handle, after a local TV channel showed a brief video clip of the purported incident even as Congress dubbed it as a "fake video". " " The video showed Gandhi sitting on the dias with senior Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and pointing to his watch gesturing something to AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka affairs K C Venugopal, apparently to wrap up quickly. " " A person is then heard telling the singer to "just sing a line (of Vande Matram) and finish it off." As the singer began singing "vande mataram", Venugopal is seen nudging Gandhi to stand up. " " "Seizing on this, BJP tweeted, "Today, RG asked to cut it to just one line, reminding us of INC's total disregard for the song."
The BJP further asked, "Do we need more reasons for Cong Mukth Bharath? Shame on you, RG." " " "Criticising Gandhi's act, BJP said in 1937, Nehru had dropped last three stanzas of Vande Mataram just to pacify Mohammad Ali Jinnah who had said the song irks the Muslims. " " "Senior BJP leader and union minister Ananth Kumar also took to twitter saying, "Common proud Indians like us say - Janani Janmm Bhumischa Swarga Daapi Gariyasi. Arrogant, Ignorant dynast says " "cut short vande mataram." " " "BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Gandhi's sense of" entitlement is "appalling and thinks India is his family" property."
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