- Congress has a long history of sidelining Vande Mataram to appease certain communities, so their opposition to its promotion is no surprise and reeks of the same appeasement politics.
- Unlike Congress, which has repeatedly compromised on national symbols for vote-bank gains, Sanatan Sanstha has tirelessly dedicated more than 25 years to selfless spiritual guidance, Dharma-based activities, social upliftment, and nationalistic awakening, inspiring millions through pure, constructive service.
- Relying on a biased, unverified article from The Quint to attack the Centre and Sanatan Sanstha without any independent verification of facts or intent shows political opportunism, deliberate misinformation, and moral bankruptcy on the part of Congress. – Editor, HJS
New Delhi – Sanatan Sanstha has exposed the hypocrisy of Congress after the party slammed the Union Government for granting ₹63 lakh to Sanatan Sanstha for the ‘Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnad Mahotsav’, held from 13–15 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The grand event, co-organised by Sanatan Sanstha and the Save Culture Save Bharat Foundation, drew thousands of devotees, saints, seers, representatives from various Hindu organisations, and Union Ministers. It celebrated the 150th anniversary of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s immortal song Vande Mataram through a magnificent exhibition on its history, mass chorus singing in the main hall by thousands of patriots, and an exhibition of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj-era weapons.
Apart from this, the remaining program was part of Sanatan Sanstha’s Silver Jubilee, named ‘Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnad Mahotsav’ emphasizing spiritual awakening, protection of Sanatan Dharma, and Dharma-based solutions to contemporary challenges faced by Hindus.
The Quint publishes controversial article
The controversy erupted after ‘The Quint’, a Hinduphobic news portal, published an article headlined “Modi Govt Gave Rs 63 Lakh for Event Calling for ‘Removing Muslims’” based on an RTI response from the Ministry of Culture. The report revealed the ₹63 lakh grant was sanctioned under a scheme to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, yet The Quint conveniently ignored this key fact, selectively quoted statements from speakers without proper context, and framed the entire event as unconstitutional. Critics, including Congress and Communist leaders, latched onto this distorted narrative to accuse the Central Government of funding and supporting “hate speech” and “communal” rhetoric.
Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak’s criticism
In a press conference in New Delhi on 18 February, Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak strongly condemned the ₹63 lakh funding, levelling reckless allegations against the Government and Sanatan Sanstha. She claimed Union Ministers including Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Sanjay Seth, and Delhi’s Minister for Culture and Tourism Kapil Mishra were present at the event, where speeches called for creating a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ by sidelining the Constitution, incited violence against minorities, and promoted forced religious conversions.
Nayak accused Sanatan Sanstha of misusing and insulting the word ‘Sanatan’, quoting a verse from Sant Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas to argue that true Sanatan Dharma is about helping others, not causing pain. She blamed the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for pushing a ‘poisonous ideology’ to destroy India’s secular structure, brotherhood, and Constitution, while alleging that PM Modi stays silent on hate speeches. Referencing Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s alleged remarks on the Muslim community, she insisted such attacks target the Constitution itself.
To a journalist’s query, she added that hate speech distracts from real issues like inflation, unemployment, and the economy.
Communist voices echoed these concerns, accusing the event of undermining India’s secular fabric and using government platforms to amplify extremist narratives against minorities.
Sanatan Sanstha’s exposes Congress’ hypocrisy
Sanatan Sanstha spokesperson Abhay Vartak categorically rejected all the allegations, stating that the Mahotsav was a peaceful, devotional gathering focused on cultural revival and national pride. “No speeches against the Indian Constitution were made in this program. All speakers presented the plight of atrocities on Hindus and suggested remedial measures.” He emphasized that the event had all necessary government approvals and was partly funded to promote Vande Mataram’s legacy.
Turning the tables on critics, Vartak exposed the double standards and hypocrisy of the Congress. He pointed to historical examples where Congress acted against constitutional values: the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, promotion of false “Hindu terror” narratives, policies allowing cow slaughter in many states, emergency-era curbs on freedoms, and appeasement politics. “Those who lecture on secularism have a long record of anti-Hindu and anti-Constitutional actions,” he said.
He said, When a Chief Minister of Telangana from Congress, while holding a Constitutional post, proclaims ‘Congress means Muslim and Muslim means Congress’, is that not anti-Constitutional? When a former Congress Prime Minister declares, ‘Muslims have the first right over the resources of this country’, is that not anti-Constitutional? Despite repeated rejection by the Supreme Court, Congress announces reservations for the Muslim community based on religion. In Kerala, Congress leaders publicly slaughter cows on the streets to protest against a beef ban. Are these not anti-Constitutional acts? Congress should first introspect on its own misdeeds.”
He continued, “People have not forgotten the massacre of Sikhs carried out during Congress rule, nor have they forgotten the tears shed by Congress for the Batla House terrorists. Despite evidence that Pakistani terrorists such as Ajmal Kasab were involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Congress leaders attended the launch of a book titled ’26/11 ka hamla RSS ki saazish!’, which blamed the RSS for the attack.”
Abhay Vartak further highlighted that former Congress Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has publicly admitted that he should not have used the term ‘Hindu terror’, but did so because the party instructed him. “Why does Congress not disclose who propounded this theory of branding Hindus as terrorists? It was based on this very theory that Sanatan Sanstha was falsely implicated in several cases. We have full faith in the judiciary; however, despite no court having convicted Sanatan Sanstha in any case, Congress leaders and the concerned portal have labelled us as terrorists. We will therefore file defamation suits against them.”
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain clarifies govt-funding rules
Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, commenting in support of the event, noted that there is no Constitutional or legal error committed by the Government here. The Government can always give funds to preserve the identity of the nation, preserve cultural heritage and organise cultural programmes. There are only restrictions in Article 27 of the Constitution on this, which are not applicable here. Therefore, even if we accept the argument of ‘Quint’ and ‘Congress’ that ‘the Government has given Rs 63 lakh’, the Government is not at fault constitutionally.
