India, Dec. 9 -- Congress president and leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Tuesday hit back at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-led government over the ongoing Vande Mataran 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 Rajya Sabha during a discussi...