LoP says House must function according to the Constitution and laws passed by Parliament, not Congress Working Committee directives
Shimla: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Friday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu over the Vande Mataram controversy, saying the country would be governed by the Constitution and laws passed by Parliament, and not by directives of the Congress Working Committee.
In a statement issued from Shimla, Jai Ram Thakur accused the Congress of disrespecting Vande Mataram and demanded that the Chief Minister respect what he described as a symbol of India’s national consciousness.
“The country will run according to the Constitution and laws passed by Parliament, not according to the diktats of the Congress Working Committee,” Thakur said.
He criticised Sukhu over his reported remarks regarding the singing of only two verses of Vande Mataram, describing the statement as an insult to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the independence movement.
BJP claims law requires respect for full rendition
Thakur claimed that the National Honour Protection and Prevention of Insult (Amendment) Bill, 2026, concerning the singing of all verses of Vande Mataram, had been passed by both Houses of Parliament and received the President’s assent.
He said the law provided for action against those who insult Vande Mataram or obstruct its singing and urged the Chief Minister to respect the law passed by Parliament.
“Instead of following the Congress and Gandhi family, the Chief Minister should respect the Constitution and the national sentiment associated with Vande Mataram,” he said.
‘Congress compromised in 1937 for Muslim League’
The BJP leader further alleged that the Congress had stopped the singing of the complete Vande Mataram in 1937 to avoid upsetting the Muslim League.
Thakur said the song had inspired countless freedom fighters during India’s struggle for independence and accused the Congress of repeatedly disrespecting a national symbol for political considerations.
“Vande Mataram was a source of inspiration for freedom fighters. Any insult to it cannot be tolerated,” he said.
He demanded that strict action be taken against anyone found disrespecting the national song and asked Sukhu to apologise for his remarks regarding the singing of two verses.
BJP warns of protest in Assembly
Jai Ram Thakur also said the BJP would strongly oppose any deviation from the legal provisions concerning the singing of Vande Mataram in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
He said the dignity and traditions of the Assembly must be maintained and alleged that the House should function according to constitutional provisions and established rules rather than the directions of any political party.
“If Vande Mataram is not sung in accordance with the law passed by Parliament, the BJP will strongly oppose it,” he said.
Targeting the Assembly Speaker, Thakur said the legislature should uphold constitutional and legal principles and ensure that there was no alteration or “cutting” of Vande Mataram.
The remarks have further intensified the political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly.
