Thiruvananthapuram, 16 August (H.S.):The omission of Vande Mataram from Kerala’s state-level Independence Day programme has sparked a political row, with BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accusing the UDF government of disregarding national directives.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Chandrasekhar said the decision amounted to a violation and warned that the government might face legal, political or combined action. He claimed that further developments on the issue could emerge in the coming days.

The BJP leader sought an explanation from Chief Minister V D Satheesan, pointing out that Congress governments in Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh had reportedly raised no objection to the Union government’s instruction. He argued that state governments could not selectively follow national rules.

Chandrasekhar also alleged that the government’s position was influenced by its political association with the Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami. Claiming that the two organisations exercised considerable influence over the administration, he said their involvement in governance could have serious consequences.

The controversy followed a communication from the Union Ministry of Culture regarding the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, observed from August 9 to 17. A letter issued by Kerala Chief Secretary Biswanath Sinha, citing the ministry’s instructions, said programmes during the campaign should combine the hoisting of the national flag with the collective singing of Vande Mataram.

The communication also called for the national song to be rendered in full. State officials, however, described the dispute as a technical matter and said the existing guidelines of the General Administration Department would be followed.

The department’s circular for Independence Day contained no direction to sing Vande Mataram. The Directorate of General Education also instructed schools to hoist the national flag and sing the national anthem at 9 am, without referring to the national song. Ministers said only the two stanzas adopted by the Constituent Assembly would be rendered if it was included.

The national song was not part of Saturday’s state ceremony attended by the Chief Minister at Central Stadium. The controversy assumes significance following the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, which extends legal protection to Vande Mataram alongside the national anthem.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman