PANAJI: Amid criticism from the BJP that the Congress has failed to show reverence and respect for the national song, the party sang Vande Mataram at a large meeting in Goa on Monday, attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.Kharge addressed the party’s booth-level agents and workers at Verna, where he questioned the BJP’s claims of patriotism.Congress Seva Dal members sang two stanzas of Vande Mataram, with the entire gathering standing at attention. Slogans of Vande Mataram were also raised repeatedly during the event.The Union home ministry has issued an order stating that all six stanzas of the national song, including the last four that were dropped by the Jawaharlal Nehru government, must be sung at all official functions and other occasions.Earlier in the day, workers of the BJP’s youth wing attempted to stop Kharge’s convoy outside Goa International Airport in Dabolim over the alleged “disrespect” towardsVande Mataram during an Independence Day celebration. Their attempt was foiled by police personnel.“They were waving black flags at me and in my heart I wanted to get down from the car and ask them to first look at the black caps that the RSS members wear. These people think they are very smart. They never fought for independence. They were slaves of the British and they wrote letters to the British asking for forgiveness, asking for help,” said Kharge.The BJP has accused the Congress of being “anti-national” for not respecting Vande Mataram and demanded an apology from Kharge.Kharge hit back at the BJP, questioning its contribution to India’s freedom struggle.“Which BJP person has fought for freedom and independence? Has any RSS member fought for this nation? And they want to teach us patriotism? They say that we are against the country. That we are anti-India. They are the ones who are anti-India,” said Kharge.
