Oppn: Debate a tactic to divert attention from pressing issues

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday hit back at the National Democratic Alliance over the Vande Mataram discussion in Parliament, describing it as a tactic to divert attention from the economic challenges the country is grappling with, pressing foreign policy issues, and internal security matters.

- 

"The political debate over the national song Vande Mataram is merely a diversionary tactic when the country faces economic challenges. True patriotism seeks solutions to problems like the falling value of the rupee and the hardships faced by the common people, rather than mere symbolism and speeches," he said in the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on the 150th anniversary of the national song.

Even when the country is grappling with a raft of problems relating to economy, unemployment, and social issues, the Prime Minister is only interested in election campaigning, the Congress leader alleged.