Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday clarified that it is not mandatory to render the full version of the national song 'Vande Mataram' at official functions. The clarification came amid a controversy over the state government's directive to sing only the first two stanzas of the song at public events.
Government Clarification
Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, the Chief Minister said that the government has not made it compulsory to sing the complete version of Vande Mataram. He emphasized that the decision to sing the full song or only the first two stanzas is left to the discretion of the organizers.
Vijayan stated that the government's earlier circular was only a suggestion and not a mandate. The circular had recommended singing the first two stanzas, which are the most widely known and accepted part of the song. He added that there is no compulsion to sing the entire song, and any claims to the contrary are baseless.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy erupted after the Kerala government issued a circular directing that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung at official events. This move was criticized by opposition parties and some cultural organizations, who argued that it was an attempt to dilute the significance of the national song.
However, the government defended its decision, stating that the first two stanzas are the most popular and are traditionally sung at public functions. They also pointed out that the full version of the song is rarely sung in its entirety due to its length and complexity.
Reactions
Opposition leaders have accused the government of trying to impose its own interpretation of the national song. BJP state president K. Surendran said that the government's action was an insult to the national song and demanded that the full version be sung at all official events.
On the other hand, some cultural activists have supported the government's position, arguing that the first two stanzas are sufficient for public functions and that the full version is more appropriate for cultural and educational contexts.
Legal and Historical Context
Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, was adopted as the national song of India in 1937. The song has two versions: the first two stanzas are considered the national song, while the full version contains six stanzas. The first two stanzas are widely recognized and are often sung at national events and ceremonies.
There is no legal requirement to sing the full version of Vande Mataram. The Constitution of India does not prescribe a specific version for official functions, leaving it to the discretion of the organizers.
The Kerala government's clarification aims to put an end to the controversy and reassure the public that there is no attempt to disrespect the national song. The Chief Minister urged everyone to focus on the spirit of the song rather than getting into disputes over its rendition.
