The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned the Kerala Assembly for playing only the opening stanzas of the national song 'Vande Mataram' during Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's policy address. The party termed the partial rendition as an 'insult' to the Governor and the nation.
Incident Details
On 29 May 2026, before and after Governor Arlekar's policy address in the Kerala Assembly, a band team performed only the first few lines of Vande Mataram instead of the full version. The BJP alleged that this was a deliberate act to disrespect the national song and the constitutional position of the Governor.
Political Reactions
State BJP leaders have demanded an apology from the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, accusing it of promoting a separatist agenda. They argued that Vande Mataram, as a national song, must be played in its entirety during official functions.
The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) defended the decision, stating that the partial rendition was a customary practice and not intended as an insult. However, the BJP rejected this explanation, calling for strict action against those responsible.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate in the state, with opposition parties rallying behind the BJP's demand for a full rendition of the national song in future Assembly sessions.
