A complaint has been lodged with the Delhi Police seeking registration of an FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi over alleged disruption during the rendition of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ at an Independence Day function at the AICC headquarters on August 15.
The complaint, filed on August 16, requests the police to first ascertain the applicability and legal status of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Subsequently, it calls for a fair, impartial, and time-bound investigation into the alleged conduct of the two Congress leaders.
Advocates Kunal Vinayak and Shubh Sharma filed the complaint at the concerned Delhi Police station. They allege that Sonia Gandhi, present at the AICC headquarters at the time of the Independence Day ceremony, made gestures communicating her objection to the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’.
The complaint refers to publicly circulated video footage and media reports that support these allegations. Additionally, it cites purported video evidence in which Rahul Gandhi allegedly states, “We are not singing Vande Mataram,” during the song’s rendition.
The complainants argue that the gestures and statements made by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi require thorough investigation by the competent authority. They have invoked the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which aims to extend penal provisions protecting the National Anthem to include the National Song.
This amended legislation proposes imprisonment of up to three years or fines against individuals who intentionally disrupt the singing of the National Anthem or National Song or disturb relevant assemblies.
The complaint further instructs the police to verify the legal status of the proposed amendment as of the date of the incident and the date of registering the complaint, ensuring accurate examination of the allegations.
Notably, the complaint invokes the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment in Shyam Narayan Chouksey v. Union of India. This ruling outlines the statutory provisions surrounding the intentional disruption of the National Anthem or National Song.
The principal request of the complaint remains the registration of an FIR under relevant laws following verification of legalities, along with an urgent, unbiased investigation into the actions of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Moreover, the complainants demand appropriate measures against any individuals found responsible as per the law and seek acknowledgment from the police regarding the actions taken on their complaint.
The complainants also reserve their right to present additional audiovisual material, witness details, and any other pertinent evidence before the investigating agency as it becomes available.
