In Kerala, only the first two stanzas of the song Vande Mataram will be sung at all state government events; it will not be sung in its full form, said State Health Minister K. Muraleedharan.
The central government issued guidelines last January making it mandatory to sing all six stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram at government events, festivals, and schools across the country.
A bill amending the law to make any form of disrespect toward this song a punishable offense was recently passed in Parliament.
In this context, in connection with the upcoming Independence Day, the National Implementation Committee headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah decided to integrate the central government's Amrit Mahotsav celebrations with the 150th anniversary celebrations of the song Vande Mataram.
In this regard, in the information sent by the Union Ministry of Culture to all state chief secretaries, it was instructed that, along with hoisting the national flag at the Amrit Mahotsav celebration events, the song Vande Mataram should also be sung in full.
Accordingly, in Kerala, State Chief Secretary Vishwanath issued a circular to state government departments, public sector undertakings, local bodies, educational institutions, and others with the above directive.
Regarding this matter, State Health Minister K. Muraleedharan told reporters: At times, the State Chief Secretary has to issue circulars regarding directives from the Central Government. That is his duty. However, in Kerala, the previous practice will continue to be followed at all government functions and ceremonies.
That is, only the first two stanzas of the song Vande Mataram will be sung. In Kerala, Vande Mataram was sung in full at the Congress government’s swearing-in ceremony. Since the ceremony was held in the presence of the Governor, Vande Mataram was sung in full. At the same time, he said that the Union government’s guidelines would not be followed at state government events.
‘It won’t happen even if threatened’
Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan said, “I know nothing about the Chief Secretary’s order that the Vande Mataram song should be sung in full in Kerala. But singing Vande Mataram in full in Kerala will not happen in this lifetime. Even if Prime Minister Modi threatens to shoot us dead, Vande Mataram will not be sung in full.
Under the BJP-led central government, Raj Bhavans have turned into ‘cheap’ political centers. Governors are involved in activities that undermine democracy with the support of money power,” he criticized.
Criticism of Congress
Pointing to the Kerala Chief Secretary’s order, the Marxist Communist Party has criticized the state Congress government.
“Through such an order, the state government has bowed to the RSS ideology. This order must be withdrawn immediately,” the Marxists have insisted.
