Himachal Pradesh Assembly sees protests over inflation and anthem row

Political tensions have escalated in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly during its monsoon session, marked by protests from both the ruling Congress party and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Congress leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, staged protests over rising inflation and accused the BJP of attempting to disrupt legislative proceedings. Conversely, the BJP staged protests alleging organized corruption within the state government and accused the administration of evading discussions on unemployment, healthcare, and law and order.

A specific controversy has emerged regarding the singing of the national anthem and the song ‘Vande Mataram’. Following allegations from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu that BJP MLAs disrespected the national anthem, BJP leaders, led by Jai Ram Thakur, held a public demonstration at Shimla’s Ridge to sing the anthem and all six stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’. Congress representatives have dismissed the dispute as a diversionary tactic intended to mask failures regarding inflation and unemployment.