News for 'National song row'

UP assembly Speaker draws ire for leaving dais during national anthem

UP assembly Speaker draws ire for leaving dais during national anthem

Rediff.com2 days ago

Uttar Pradesh assembly Speaker Satish Mahana has found himself at the centre of a controversy after he was seen walking away while the national anthem was played at an event in Unnao, drawing flak from the opposition. Mahana, however, claimed that the anthem was not played where he was given the guard of honour.

'Vande Mataram' row escalates as BJP lodges complaint against Sonia Gandhi

'Vande Mataram' row escalates as BJP lodges complaint against Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have lodged a formal complaint against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi at the Urwa police station in Karnataka on Sunday, following a controversy during the recitation of the national song Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day.

Full Vande Mataram sung at Cong's Independence Day event, BJP says Sonia objected to it

Full Vande Mataram sung at Cong's Independence Day event, BJP says Sonia objected to it

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

The BJP accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the full version of Vande Mataram at an Independence Day event, sparking a political row. The Congress denied the charge, stating Gandhi was only seeking a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and clarified the historical context of the song's usage.

Cong to stick to 2-stanza Vande Mataram; BJP calls it 'New Muslim League'

Cong to stick to 2-stanza Vande Mataram; BJP calls it 'New Muslim League'

Rediff.com5 days ago

The Congress Working Committee has decided to adhere to its 1937 resolution, mandating that only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' be sung at all party events, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, which labelled the Congress the 'new Muslim League'.

AICC 'Vande' row: Bankim Chandra's descendant seeks Sonia Gandhi's apology

AICC 'Vande' row: Bankim Chandra's descendant seeks Sonia Gandhi's apology

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

BJP MLA Sumitro Chatterjee, a descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has demanded an unconditional apology from Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi. This demand follows an alleged incident at the AICC headquarters on Independence Day, where Chatterjee claims there were attempts to prevent the full singing of "Vande Mataram," which he described as a "shameless repetition of a historical mistake."

'Those who oppose 'Vande Mataram' don't know their mother'

'Those who oppose 'Vande Mataram' don't know their mother'

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Kerala University vice-chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal on Saturday said those who do not say Vande Mataram do not know who their mother is.

Row over Vande Mataram before Tamil anthem at TN swearing-in event

Row over Vande Mataram before Tamil anthem at TN swearing-in event

Rediff.com21 May 2026

A political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu after the Tamil invocation song was rendered last during the swearing-in of new ministers. Left parties have criticised the decision to sing the Tamil anthem after Vande Mataram and the national anthem.

Monsoon session: Controversial bills, NEET Leak, Ram temple row set to dominate

Monsoon session: Controversial bills, NEET Leak, Ram temple row set to dominate

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

The Indian government and opposition are preparing for a contentious Monsoon Session of Parliament, with key issues including the Constitution Amendment Bill on delimitation and women's reservation, the alleged NEET paper leak, and a row over Ram temple donations set to spark heated debates.

Fresh outrage as Tamil anthem pushed to third spot again

Fresh outrage as Tamil anthem pushed to third spot again

Rediff.com22 May 2026

Fresh political friction has erupted in Tamil Nadu following the cabinet swearing-in ceremony, where the Tamil Thai Valthu was once again played third during an official ceremony. This marks the third consecutive occasion where the Tamil anthem has been placed third in the protocol order, triggering fresh criticism and political reactions across the state regarding the government's failure to uphold regional ceremonial traditions.

Vijay concludes maiden Delhi visit, skips meeting Gandhis

Vijay concludes maiden Delhi visit, skips meeting Gandhis

Rediff.com28 May 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay concluded his first official visit to Delhi, meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss key state issues.

Congress accuses Modi of insulting Tagore, 1937 CWC over Vande Mataram row

Congress accuses Modi of insulting Tagore, 1937 CWC over Vande Mataram row

Rediff.com9 Nov 2025

The Congress party has intensified its criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Vande Mataram controversy, alleging that he has insulted the Congress Working Committee of 1937 and Rabindranath Tagore. The party demands Modi address current issues instead of historical debates.

BJP committing 'big sin': Priyanka on Vande Mataram row

BJP committing 'big sin': Priyanka on Vande Mataram row

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

In a measured but scathing attack, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of committing a 'big sin' by creating a controversy over Vande Mataram and claimed that the government pushed for a debate on the national song as the West Bengal assembly polls were approaching.

UP to make singing Vande Mataram compulsory in schools

UP to make singing Vande Mataram compulsory in schools

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that singing 'Vande Mataram' will be made compulsory in every school and educational institution of the state.

Row after Bangladesh national anthem sung at Cong event

Row after Bangladesh national anthem sung at Cong event

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has instructed police to register a treason case against Congress leaders for allegedly singing the Bangladesh national anthem at a party meeting. The move has sparked controversy and accusations of disrespect towards India's national anthem.

Kerala probes students singing RSS song on Vande Bharat's maiden run

Kerala probes students singing RSS song on Vande Bharat's maiden run

Rediff.com9 Nov 2025

According to the minister, the government views the incident with utmost seriousness.

'Bow, bow': Cong's Renuka Chowdhury responds to dog row

'Bow, bow': Cong's Renuka Chowdhury responds to dog row

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury's response to reports of a privilege motion against her for bringing a dog to Parliament has gone viral, sparking social media memes and political reactions.

High drama in TN assembly over national anthem row

High drama in TN assembly over national anthem row

Rediff.com6 Jan 2025

Ravi He made fervent appeal to Chief Minister M K Stalin and Speaker M Appavu for singing the National Anthem but they "cussedly refused," the Governor's office alleged in a post on social media post 'X.'

Bollywood's OG Dancing Superstar

Bollywood's OG Dancing Superstar

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

Dinesh Raheja salutes Sandhya, the acclaimed dancer who passed into the ages on October 4.

'Very Shocked Shivakumar Recited RSS Anthem'

'Very Shocked Shivakumar Recited RSS Anthem'

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'But I know why he did it.' 'He was being heckled by BJP members who were mocking the Congress.' 'In that context, he quoted the song to tell them: "We know your anthem, we know your ideology, we know how divisive you are".' 'It was not an endorsement.'

Row over Rahman's rendition of Nazrul song in Pippa

Row over Rahman's rendition of Nazrul song in Pippa

Rediff.com11 Nov 2023

A controversy has erupted over A R Rahman's rendition of a popular patriotic song of legendary Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in a new Bollywood film, with the litterateur's family and singers expressing outrage over the 'distortion' in rhythm and tunes.

The Gentle Colossus Of Tamil Cinema

The Gentle Colossus Of Tamil Cinema

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

Whether it was in the company of superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan -- or, on rare occasions with both together, among others -- Saravanan's demeanour would stand out, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Yet another row over Tamil anthem, this time at Udhayanidhi's event

Yet another row over Tamil anthem, this time at Udhayanidhi's event

Rediff.com25 Oct 2024

While leaders alleged wrongful rendition of the Tamil anthem and BJP said mother Tamil has taught the Dy CM a 'lesson', Udhayanidhi dismissed such claims and asserted the microphone did not function properly and that it was a technical fault.

Sri Lanka: Paradiso For Travellers

Sri Lanka: Paradiso For Travellers

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka stays with you not just in memory, but gently reminds you what a society can achieve when heart and heritage guide the way.

Row after Omar shares news article on jailed rival Engineer's Baramulla win

Row after Omar shares news article on jailed rival Engineer's Baramulla win

Rediff.com6 Jun 2024

The row broke out after a private television news agency attributed the excerpts of the article shared by the NC leader to him.

Is Kunal Kamra obsessed with controversies?

Is Kunal Kamra obsessed with controversies?

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has once again found himself at the center of a controversy, this time for his comments about Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Kamra has been a controversial figure for years, with his comedy often targeting politicians and other public figures. This latest incident has led to a backlash from Shinde's supporters, who have vandalized the venue of Kamra's show. Kamra has a history of making controversial remarks, including heckling a TV anchor on a flight and making comments about the judiciary.

NEET issue to reverberate in Parl, exam's credibility under question: Oppn

NEET issue to reverberate in Parl, exam's credibility under question: Oppn

Rediff.com24 Jun 2024

The credibility of the examination system has also come under question, they said.

Goodbye Paddy!

Goodbye Paddy!

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

It was amazing to see how he used to hoodwink batsmen with subtle changes in flight, loop and deliver his doomsday ball -- the dangerous armer.

After Meerut, Varanasi makes singing Vande Mataram compulsory

After Meerut, Varanasi makes singing Vande Mataram compulsory

Rediff.com3 Apr 2017

The Varanasi mayor has issued orders making it mandatory for every municipal corporation member to sing 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jana Gana Mana' after a Bharatiya Janata Party corporator's proposal for singing the songs triggered protests by Congress and Samajwadi Party members.

Is BJP fine-tuning its line on nationalism?

Is BJP fine-tuning its line on nationalism?

Rediff.com21 Feb 2017

'Since the general election is only two years away, the BJP will need a surefire plan of action -- and it cannot be either the Ram temple or ultra-nationalism,' says Amulya Ganguli.

How Well Do You Know Lord Ganesha?

How Well Do You Know Lord Ganesha?

Rediff.com16 Sep 2024

A special quiz to mark the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Row over Meerut mayor's Vande Mataram diktat

Row over Meerut mayor's Vande Mataram diktat

Rediff.com30 Mar 2017

A group of Muslim councillors left the Meerut Municipal Corporation House as soon as other members started singing Vande Mataram, following which a proposal to terminate their membership was passed.

BJP's Asansol candidate Pawan Singh won't contest polls after backlash

BJP's Asansol candidate Pawan Singh won't contest polls after backlash

Rediff.com3 Mar 2024

Asansol is home to a sizeable migrant population, and the BJP had hoped that Singh would be an effective counter to Sinha, the actor-politician who was in the saffron party for decades before walking out in 2019.

Mystical Mongolia

Mystical Mongolia

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

Mongolia can take a lifetime to happen but rewards the intrepid traveller with enduring memories of a surreal, delightful land.

Chinese fans fume at NBA as fallout from free speech row spreads

Chinese fans fume at NBA as fallout from free speech row spreads

Rediff.com9 Oct 2019

The state-owned tabloid accused Silver of caving in to political pressure, saying the NBA was treating the Chinese market with arrogant disregard.

Sights And Dazzle Of Japan

Sights And Dazzle Of Japan

Rediff.com25 Jun 2024

Tokyo -- the songs Japan, Love In Tokyo and Sayonara from the 1966 Hindi film automatically pop up in the mind -- is buzzing and crowded like any other metropolis, discovers Deepa Gahlot. The modern apartment blocks are built cheek by jowl, so close together that one can open the window and borrow sugar from the neighbour in the next building. One of the fears of the Indian traveller is the unavailability of vegetarian food. Every city and town in Japan has an array of Indian restaurants that serve every variety of cuisine, right from Gujarati to Punjabi to Andhra and Kerala meals.

Row continues over KK's death as BJP MP seeks central probe

Row continues over KK's death as BJP MP seeks central probe

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

The allegations drew sharp reactions from the ruling TMC, which condemned the "vulture politics" of the saffron camp, further requesting it not to politicize the death.

SEE: Asian Games opens with futuristic ceremony

SEE: Asian Games opens with futuristic ceremony

Rediff.com23 Sep 2023

In keeping with the main theme of 'Tides Surging in Asia', the ceremony was about the intermingling of China, Asia and the world in the new era

Amsterdam Is Always A Good Idea

Amsterdam Is Always A Good Idea

Rediff.com19 Jul 2024

The City of Bikes is like no other.

Coca-Cola ad featuring 7 languages including Hindi stirs row

Coca-Cola ad featuring 7 languages including Hindi stirs row

Rediff.com4 Feb 2014

A new Coca-Cola commercial depicting US' diversity by showing people of different immigrant communities singing "America the Beautiful" in seven different languages, including Hindi, has sparked a major row.

Nepal cities ban all Indian films over Adipurush dialogues

Nepal cities ban all Indian films over Adipurush dialogues

Rediff.com19 Jun 2023

Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah on Sunday said no Hindi film will be allowed to run in Kathmandu Metropolitan City until the dialogue "Janaki is a daughter of India" in Adipurush is removed not just in Nepal but also in India