VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html DIY organic floor cleaner that you can make with 3 easy ingredients in your kitchen What every zodiac sign needs to know this week August 16 to 22, 2026 and 3 simple ways to align with the universe Manhattan’s got a hairy situation! Giant 10-foot hairball ‘Tumblehair’ takes over the streets of NYC Over 100 arrested in Morocco over fresh Ceuta migrant crossing attempt Rijiju said that Prime Minister’s remarks were not meant for opposition leaders. NEW DELHI: Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on “dimagi naxals” were not meant for the opposition leaders.Amid opposition’s criticism over PM’s remarks during his Independence Day speech, Rijiju said that the “dimagi naxals” referred only to those who supported Maoists and rejected Constitution.”PM Narendra Modi ji didn’t say opposition leaders as dimagi naxals,” Rijiju said in a social media post on X.”Only following are dimagi naxals: 1. Who support Maoists and reject Indian Constitution. 2. Who stand with separatists & support Article 370. 3. Who want to cut chicken neck to separate North-East from India,” he added.In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi said that while Naxals who took up arms in the jungle have been eliminated, there are also “dimagi naxals”, who are in various parts of the country and need to be “identified and isolated.””For years, people with Maoist thinking were there in public life, even in government committees this thinking had affected various institutions and initiatives. My dear countrymen, we have been able to curb and free the country from ‘hathariya naxal’ (armed naxal),” The Prime Minister said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”Even if these naxals are gone, but the ‘dimagi naxal’ (people with naxal thinking), are looking for an opportunity, looking to see ways of violence, and trying to drag the country to a wrong path. We need to identify these dimagi naxal, isolate them, and bring the youth together for a developed country,” he added.Soon after his speech, Congress dismissed PM Modi’s warnings against “dimagi naxals” as hollow political rhetoric.Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the term carries no real substance, drawing a parallel to previous debates surrounding the phrase “urban naxal”.”Two or three years ago, he (PM Modi) called his political opponents ‘urban naxals’; at that time, the question arose in Parliament as to what the definition of ‘Urban Naxal’ was. The Home Minister replied that there is no such thing as an ‘urban naxal,’ nor is there any definition for it. Today, the Prime Minister is using the term ‘mental naxal’ (ideological Naxal) for his political opponents from the Red Fort,” Jairam Ramesh alleged.Former Union minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on also targeted PM Modi over his “dimagi naxal” remarks, saying he was “proud” to be described by the term.“I am proud to be a dimagi naxal!” Chidambaram said in a post on X.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123PhotostoriesHow to remove Rahu’s negative energy according to your birth date5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Aug 16, 2026, 15:33 IST India cooks up LPG safety net: Govt fixes refinery-wise output targets; Reliance gets biggest quota Anurag Kashyap on why Bollywood bends to power and South doesn’t: ‘They sometimes feel ashamed, but…’ 5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gathering How to remove Rahu’s negative energy according to your birth date TMC leader’s suicide case: CM Suvendu Adhikari vows probe into possible ‘threat’ angle At 20, Finnish immigrant Maggie Walz arrived in Michigan with just $7; in 1903 she claimed 160 acres on a Lake Huron island and the colony she founded grew to five settlements with around 1,000 people West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari slams Sonia Gandhi NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday slammed Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi over the controversy surrounding the recitation of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day, saying the ‘Entire Bengal fuming, Congress must apologise’.Adhikari also accused the Congress of indulging in “appeasement politics”.”It’s appeasement politics, Cong trying to satisfy particular vote bank,” he said while further adding that it’s an insult to nationalism, and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe row erupted after visuals from the August 15 event showed senior Congress leaders speaking among themselves while Vande Mataram was being recited.BJP leaders has lodged a formal complaint against at the Urwa Police Station in Karnataka.Congress rejects allegationsThe Congress has rejected the charge and said there was no attempt to stop the rendition.Maintaining that the allegations are baseless, the party said there was no attempt to stop the full version of Vande Mataram and that Sonia Gandhi was only trying to ensure proper arrangements at the event, including asking for a chair for Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who had been standing.In a first for Independence Day celebrations, Vande Mataram, with all six stanzas, was rendered at the Red Fort complex on August 15, followed by the national anthem.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123PhotostoriesHow to remove Rahu’s negative energy according to your birth date5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Clearly, there’s something wrong’: Sunil Gavaskar questions India’s fitness methods amid injury crisis Meenakshi Chaudhary hails her ‘GOAT’ star Vijay’s professionalism, says, ‘He always respects others’ time’ 5 trends that could reshape what you see online Weekly numerology prediction, August 16 to August 22, 2026, based on the first letter of your name Air India Express flyer’s pistol ‘accidentally’ goes off at Varanasi airport: How it unfolded India vs China Live Score, Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026: India face tough China test in opener Fatima Sana to lead as Pakistan name Women’s Asia Cup and Asian Games squads Bonnie Tyler’s coffin brought back to Swansea: Thousands of fans attend procession to pay their final respects 5 natural ways to keep lizards out of your home Gajakesari Yoga (17 August): Moon in Libra & Jupiter trigger powerful relationship breakthroughs – These Zodiac Signs Will Manifest a NewBond ‘Makes my blood boil’: CJP backs Bengal school student, seeks arrest of those behind his father’s death Who is Andrew Wilson? Inside his heated debate with Candace Owens over Charlie Kirk The controversy erupted after visuals from the Independence Day programme at the Congress headquarters showed senior party leaders speaking among themselves NEW DELHI: BJP leaders on Sunday lodged a formal complaint against Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi at the Urwa Police Station in Karnataka. The move escalated a political row over the recitation of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day.The controversy followed visuals from the August 15 event showing senior Congress leaders speaking among themselves while the National Song was being recited. BJP leaders alleged that the conduct amounted to disrespect towards the national song, while the Congress rejected the charge and said there was no attempt to stop the rendition.BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused the Congress leadership of showing discomfort towards the National Song and targeted Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.”Yesterday, the Congress revealed its true face to the country and the world. They harbour such hatred for ‘Vande Mataram’… You saw how uncomfortable Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge became yesterday the moment the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ was played… When they saw it had been recorded on camera, they tried to give explanations,” Tiwari told news agency ANI.The controversy also drew a sharp attack from Union home minister Amit Shah, who raised the issue at a rally in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Shah alleged that Sonia had asked party workers to stop the rendition.”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.He directly addressed Sonia, saying, “Sonia ji, 140 crore people are watching you. This sin you have committed will never be forgiven by the people of this country.”The Congress has maintained that the allegations are baseless. The party said there was no attempt to stop the full version of Vande Mataram and that Sonia Gandhi was only trying to ensure proper arrangements at the event, including asking for a chair for Kharge, who had been standing.The issue has also drawn criticism from VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal and BJP MLA Umitro Chatterjee, a direct descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Chatterjee sought an unconditional apology from Sonia Gandhi, saying he wrote as “an ordinary citizen, a patriot” and descendant of the song’s author, expressing “deep pain, emptiness, and anger”. Invoking Sri Aurobindo’s description of Vande Mataram as the “religion of patriotism”, he cited its role in India’s freedom movement and its association with leaders including Khudiram Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Rabindranath Tagore.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn a first for Independence Day celebrations, ‘Vande Mataram’, with the full six stanzas, was rendered at the Red Fort complex during the historic occasion on August 15, followed by the recitation of the national anthem at the grand event.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123PhotostoriesInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?Your walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movements123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Batwara 1947’ box office collection Day 3 [LIVE]: Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta starrer eyes to cross Rs 30 crore mark on first Sunday Vastu Secret: The direction you face while cooking can affect your health and home energy In 1948, scientists left a giant fossil on an Arctic island because they could not carry it; 78 years later it became a record-size new predator US Immigration authority to H1-B visa holders, students and other visa holders: These forms will be rejected starting September 15 Fur traders introduced Arctic foxes across Alaska’s Aleutian Islands to produce pelts; by killing seabirds, the foxes helped turn lush grasslands into tundra Saif Ali Khan spotted with Kareena Kapoor Khan and sons at airport, back from ‘Haiwaan’ acttor’s birthday getaway Bihar recorded higher turnout than US, UK, France in assembly polls after SIR: CEC Gyanesh Kumar “The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly” Gangai Amaran reveals SP Balasubrahmanyam’s LAST WISH six years after the veteran singer’s demise: ‘He wanted to see Ilaiyaraaja’ 7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your diet Three-Time National Award-Winning Bengali filmmaker passes away after battling age related ailments In 1958, Mahala Ashley Dickerson visited Alaska on vacation and decided to move there; after claiming 160 acres, she became the territory’s first Black homesteader and months later its first Black lawyer PM Modi shares his morning routine NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared a glimpse of his morning routine, posting a video of himself feeding cows and peacocks before leaving for the Red Fort for India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations.In a post on Instagram, Modi said feeding the animals was part of his daily routine and that they appeared to realise he was leaving earlier than usual for the Independence Day programme.“Feeding my friends every morning is a daily routine. Yesterday morning, they somehow realised I’m leaving early, so they came to meet me as I was leaving for the Red Fort,” Modi wrote.The video showed the Prime Minister spending time with the animals at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence before departing for the historic monument. He was dressed in his traditional attire for the Independence Day celebrations.“Special, as always!” Modi said at the end of his post.The PM has also been increasingly active on Instagram in recent days, sharing selfie-style videos, personal reflections, GR and glimpses of his daily routine.The social media post offered a personal glimpse of the Prime Minister’s morning ahead of the formal Independence Day programme, which included the flag-hoisting ceremony and his address to the nation.Modi later reached the Red Fort, where he hoisted the national flag from the ramparts as part of the 80th Independence Day celebrations. The ceremony was accompanied by a 21-gun salute using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns.In his address, Modi outlined his government’s priorities for India’s development, with a focus on youth, manufacturing, technology, innovation and self-reliance. He also highlighted India’s energy transition and plans to expand nuclear power capacity.The Prime Minister spoke about strengthening domestic manufacturing and reducing dependence on external sources, while highlighting sectors including defence, food processing, connectivity, green and blue economy and technology.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesYouth development also featured prominently in his address, with Modi announcing measures linked to artificial intelligence training, innovation and competitive examinations.He also stressed the goal of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, when India will mark 100 years of independence.The Independence Day programme additionally featured a rendition of Vande Mataram, with the national song completing 150 years this year.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123PhotostoriesInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?Your walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movements123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Very embarrassing defeat’: Ricky Ponting tears apart Australia after Bangladesh shock ‘Sathuranga Vettai 2’ signs off revival; Aravind Swamy and Trisha starrer to get release date soon 3 simple money lessons every parent can teach a child from age 5 ‘Never got involved in corruption, stay away from politics’: Asish Banerjee’s suicide note surfaces In 1940, the Walker sisters sold their 122-acre Tennessee homestead for $4,750; a lifetime lease let them keep living there inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park Quote of the day by Sean Connery: ‘If you start thinking of your image…you’re in a trap. What’s important is that you’re doing the work that’s best for you,’ the ‘James Bond’ star’s words of wisdom on not caring about what other people think A mother taught her 3-year-old to dial the police helpline in a fun game; it turned out to save her life when she actually collapsed Not-so-pleased with Apple, the US government tells iPhone maker: Think of better ideas than going to China for … ‘It’s so cheap that I don’t know…’ File photo: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Union home minister Amit Shah NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Congress over a controversy surrounding the rendition of Vande Mataram at the party’s Independence Day event, accusing it of insulting the national song and alleging that the incident was driven by “vote-bank” politics.Addressing a rally in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, Shah alleged that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had asked party workers to stop the rendition while it was being sung at the Congress headquarters on Saturday.“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.He directly addressed Sonia Gandhi, saying, “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 accused the Congress of having “forgotten Vande Mataram out of greed for vote banks” and said the party should apologise to the people for allegedly insulting the national song.Congress denies BJP’s allegationThe controversy erupted on Saturday after the BJP shared video footage from the Congress’s Independence Day programme at Indira Bhawan and alleged that Sonia Gandhi had objected while Vande Mataram was being played.The Congress rejected the allegation and maintained that the full version of Vande Mataram was sung at the event.Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the party’s position on the song was rooted in its history and cited a 1937 meeting of the Congress Working Committee in Calcutta, attended by leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Jawaharlal Nehru.Ramesh said the CWC had decided, following advice from Rabindranath Tagore, that the opening stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung at Congress sessions.He also rejected the claim that Sonia Gandhi had sought to stop the song. According to Ramesh, she was asking party workers to arrange a chair for Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who had been standing for some time.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“The full version was sung at Saturday’s event, there is no question of a controversy over it,” Ramesh said.BJP has continued to target the Congress over the incident, with party leaders accusing it of showing disrespect towards Vande Mataram.The row comes shortly after Parliament passed legislation dealing with disrespect towards the national song.The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was cleared by the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha in July and accords Vande Mataram a status on par with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.Shah’s remarks came after he attended an event in Chittorgarh with Rajasthan chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma, where they unveiled a statue of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123PhotostoriesVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?Your walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Who is Antara Banerjee? Actress arrested over alleged train clash; police allege razor attack on RPF officer