Rahul Gandhi directs to cut Vande Mataram to a single line during a public rally in Karnataka ..now this is why we… https://t.co/2KiI770Lhs — Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) 1524820149000

In 1937, Nehru dropped last 3 stanzas of the Vande Mataram just to pacify Jinnah who said the song irks the Muslims… https://t.co/cCmViYAMlP — BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) 1524820791000

BANTWAL: The Congress corner meet in Bantwal began on a controversial note with the leaders, based on the direction of Rahul Gandhi , asking the singer to finish ' Vande Mataram ', one of the country's most revered patriotic songs, "in just one line" for paucity of time.As the singer stopped the song abruptly, the crowd was seen looking at each other wondering what had transpired. When most people thought the singer was 'star struck' because of the presence of the Congress bigwigs on the stage, it later emerged that the party leaders directed her to finish the song in one line."Vande mataram vande mataram, sujalam suphalam malayaja sheetalam, sasyashyamalam maataram, vande mataram," was all the singer ended up singing.A television channel later aired a video footage in which Rahul is seen pointing to his wrist watch to KC Venugopal, AICC general secretary and in-charge for Karnataka , in an apparent bid to suggest that he was running short of time. Meanwhile, the singer arrives at the rostrum and Venugopal immediately directs her to finish the song in one line. Others on the stage, too, are seen and heard telling her to cut short the song.The video grab has been widely shared on social media."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?," Sambit Patra, national spokesperson of the BJP, tweeted."In 1937, Nehru dropped last 3 stanzas of the Vande Mataram just to pacify Jinnah who said the song irks the Muslims. Today, RG asked to cut it to just one line, reminding us of INC's total disregard for the song. Do we need more reasons for Cong Muktha Bharath? Shame on you, RG," Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP's national information and technology, shared on his Twitter handle.Earlier, Rahul was scheduled to arrive at a conventional centre to release the party manifesto at 9.45 am. However, he arrived at least 35 minutes late. This, in turn, delayed his arrival in Bantwal by at least 40 minutes.Rahul then left to Dharmasthala in a chopper.