India, Dec. 8 -- The Congress on Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech during the discussion on 'Vande Mataram' in the Lok Sabha saying why Parliament needed a debate on the national song, asserting that there was "no controversy" around it and alleged that the government was using the discussion to divert attention from public issues.

The Congress also asserted that the discussion was intended to "rewrite history" and give a "political colour" to it and said that no matter how much the BJP tries, it will not be able to put a single blot on the contribution of Jawaharlal Nehru.

The grand old party also said it was the Congress that gave 'Vande Mataram' the importance it deserved and the status of national song.

Congr...