Rahul Gandhi's understanding of history of nation is poor, that's why he disrespected Vande Mataram: Smriti Irani

 Commenting on Congress President Rahul Gandhi's alleged disrespect towards the National song, Vande Mataram, Union Minister Smriti Irani, on Saturday, said that his mind is too power-centric.
"His mind is too power-centric, perhaps his understanding on the glorious history of the nation and service towards the nation is a little poor, that is why he was seen disrespecting Vande Mataram," Irani said.

"Someone who does not understand our martyr's sacrifices, who is unaware of the history of Rani Chenamma, how can we expect from someone like that to take mere two minutes out of his busy schedule to pay homage to the motherland," she added.

Earlier, Irani also attended the Karunad Mahila Jagruti Samvaad, in Karnataka's Belgaum, where she said that Karnataka was heading towards change that would contribute towards a new India, where there was no place for North-South divide and caste divisions so people like Congressmen could not benefit from it politically. 

A controversy erupted on Friday after a video purportedly showing Congress President Rahul Gandhi "disrespecting" national song 'Vande Mataram' at a public rally surfaced and went viral.

The BJP slammed Gandhi, saying he does not have respect for the national song, a charge dismissed by the Congress as "absolutely false."

"He (Gandhi) does not have respect for national song. What can we expect from him," tweeted BJP on its handle, after a local TV channel showed a brief video clip of the purported incident even as Congress dubbed it as a "fake video".

The video showed Gandhi sitting on the dais with senior Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and pointing to his watch gesturing something to AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka affairs K C Venugopal, apparently to wrap up quickly.

A person is then heard telling the singer to "just sing a line (of Vande Matram) and finish it off." As the singer began singing "vande mataram", Venugopal is seen nudging Gandhi to stand up.
Seizing on this, BJP tweeted, "Today, RG asked to cut it to just one line, reminding us of INC's total disregard for the song."

The BJP further asked, "Do we need more reasons for Cong Mukth Bharath? Shame on you, RG."
Senior BJP leader and union minister Ananth Kumar also took to twitter saying, "Common proud Indians like us say - Janani Janmm Bhumischa Swarga Daapi Gariyasi.  Arrogant, Ignorant dynast says "cut short vande mataram."
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Gandhi's sense of" entitlement is "appalling and thinks India is his family" property.

Rahul Gandhi directs to cut Vande Mataram to a single line during a public rally in Karnataka..now this is why we call Him "Sahzada"...His sense of entitlement is appalling....thinks this country is family property. can at his wish amend the National Song?," he tweeted.

Another BJP leader D V Sadananda Gowda also said Gandhi does not have respect for national song and what can people expect from him.
He does not have respect for National song. What can we" expect from him," he tweeted.
 BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya tagging the video, in a tweet said "Well done Rahul Gandhi."

Former union minister and Congress leader Rajeev Shukla dismissed it as "absolutely false" allegation and called it a "fake video". "It is the work of theirs to release fake video.Who else believes in Vande Mataram than Congress. The Vande Mataram was started to be sung from 1896 Congress session," he told reporters in Bengaluru.

The Congress always complied with Vande Mataram. "Each of our session starts with Vande Mataram and ends with national anthem. They teach us Vande Mataram. It is neither sung in their office, nor in RSS headquarters," he said, hitting out at BJP.