Kerala to Sing Only First Two Stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' Amid National Song Row

Kerala will continue its tradition of singing only the first two stanzas of the national song 'Vande Mataram' at government events, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan announced Sunday. This clarification comes after a recent circular from the chief secretary, which had directed the full rendition of the song, ignited a political row in the state.

The chief secretary's August 6 order was reportedly in line with a Union ministry of culture circular concerning the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. This directive instructed that all physical celebrations during the period should include the collective singing of 'Vande Mataram' alongside hoisting the national flag, emphasizing the Union government's instructions for its full recitation.

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In the past, only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram are sung at government events in Kerala. We will stick to the same rule. Kerala will not follow the Union government’s directives (on full rendition).

However, the order caused controversy in Kerala, where both the UDF and LDF coalitions argued that later stanzas of the song contain references to Hindu deities. They contended that these references do not align with the country's pluralistic ideals. Muraleedharan acknowledged that while the chief secretary might have relayed the Union government's directives, the state would maintain its established protocol.

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Since the Governor was present, the central protocol was followed. But at state government functions, we have our own protocol.

Muraleedharan explained that the full rendition was observed during the UDF government's swearing-in ceremony in May due to the Governor's presence, adhering to central protocol. "But at state government functions, we have our own protocol," he stated. This contrasts with an earlier August 4 circular from the general administration department, which did not mention the song's recital for Independence Day events, surprising some officials.

Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the chief secretary's order, accusing the UDF government of surrendering to RSS ideology. He pointed out that Constituent Assembly members and leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru believed only the first two stanzas were necessary. Vijayan asserted that the government's order, despite criticism, demonstrated a full surrender to the RSS agenda.

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The Constituent Assembly and leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru have been of the opinion that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram need to be sung. At the UDF government’s swearing in, the song was rendered in full. Despite so much criticism against it, the government has issued such an order. It shows that the state government has surrendered fully to the RSS agenda.