New Delhi, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury on Wednesday accused the BJP-led government of using the controversy surrounding the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ to divert attention from pressing public issues and further what she described as divisive politics.
In an interview with IANS, Chowdhury also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “dimagi naxal” remarks, questioned the BJP’s handling of issues concerning students and alleged that institutions such as the Election Commission and Enforcement Directorate were being used against political opponents.
On the controversy over ‘Vande Mataram’, Chowdhury rejected allegations that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi had attempted to stop the full song from being played at the Congress headquarters.
“This is the politics of allegations. Such remarks are being made to divert attention from the real issues,” she said, asking why the government was not addressing issues such as students’ future and alleged NEET paper leaks.
Responding to BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s criticism of Congress over patriotism, Chowdhury said the BJP and the RSS were now trying to project themselves as the sole custodians of nationalism. She alleged that the Vande Mataram controversy was being stretched to “spread hatred”.
On Prime Minister Modi’s “dimagi naxal” remarks made during his Independence Day address, Chowdhury said such comments were inappropriate from the Red Fort and reflected poorly on the political discourse.
“We are celebrating the 80th anniversary of freedom, and on Independence Day, he is making such remarks from such a big stage,” she said, contrasting the tone with speeches delivered by former Prime Ministers including Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.
Chowdhury also criticised remarks questioning Sonia Gandhi’s patriotism on the basis of her Italian origin, saying such comments reflected an attempt to question the identity of women who marry into Indian families.
On allegations of financial irregularities linked to Ram temple donations, she claimed that smaller individuals were being held responsible while influential figures were being protected. Her remarks on the issue have also triggered controversy.
Asked about repeated attacks on the Gandhi family by BJP leaders in Parliament, Chowdhury said such criticism would not weaken the Congress leadership. On whether Rahul Gandhi could become Prime Minister in 2029, she said the decision would ultimately rest with the people.
She also expressed support for the youth voice in politics and said the future of newly formed political formations could not be predicted in a democracy.
On organisational changes within the BJP, Chowdhury said they were an internal matter. She welcomed Smriti Irani’s return to the BJP’s newly constituted team, calling her a talented woman.
On the Jharkhand government accepting students’ demands, she praised Chief Minister Hemant Soren and said Rahul Gandhi had taken helpful steps in supporting students’ concerns.
Reacting to US President Donald Trump’s comments praising India’s electoral system, Chowdhury said India did not need validation from foreign leaders and argued that the country had demonstrated its democratic credentials since Independence.
Chowdhury’s remarks come amid a broader political confrontation over the 150th anniversary-related celebrations of ‘Vande Mataram’, with the Congress and BJP trading accusations over the National Song and its place in the country’s political discourse.
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