torchlight rally from Bharat Mata Chowk to the nearby Congress office (Rajiv Bhavan) in Shankar Nagar, protesting an alleged insult to the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ by senior Congress leaders. During the demonstration, BJYM office-bearers and workers gathered near the Congress office premises to perform a collective rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’. The rally saw participation from senior leaders, including BJP Raipur City District President Ramesh Singh Thakur, BJYM State President Rahul Tikriha, and BJYM Raipur City District President Arpit Suryavanshi. Addressing the gathering, BJP District President Ramesh Singh Thakur criticised Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, stating that disrespecting the national song insults the sacrifices of freedom fighters.

 

He questioned whether Chhattisgarh Congress State President Deepak Baij endorsed the alleged act and demanded an apology from the central leadership. BJYM State President Rahul Tikriha stated that the youth wing would continue to oppose any perceived disrespect to national symbols, while District President Arpit Suryavanshi affirmed that protests would persist until an official apology is tendered. The demonstration was attended by several prominent local representatives and party office-bearers, including Raipur North MLA Purandar Mishra, Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Sanjay Srivastava, alongside district councilors, morcha heads, and party workers.