Thiruvananthapuram, 09 August (H.S.):Lok Bhavan has issued a clarification amid a controversy over the singing of Vande Mataram during Independence Day celebrations in Kerala, saying it had not directed the State government to render the song in its entirety at official functions.

The clarification came after differing statements from ministers over a circular concerning the protocol to be followed during Independence Day celebrations across the State.

The Home Minister and Industries Minister said the government had taken no decision to sing the complete version of Vande Mataram at the functions. The Education Minister, however, attributed the circular to directions received from Lok Bhavan, triggering further confusion over the issue.

Lok Bhavan has now clarified that no such instruction was issued from its side regarding the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram.

Adding to the confusion, the circular issued by the State government's protocol wing for Independence Day functions in various districts reportedly contained no reference to Vande Mataram. The instructions dealt with the rendition of the national anthem but did not specify that Vande Mataram should be sung, either in part or in full.

The conflicting explanations have brought the issue into focus ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on August 15 and raised questions over how the controversy originated despite the absence of such a provision in the protocol circular.

The row also comes against the backdrop of an earlier controversy involving Vande Mataram during the swearing-in ceremony of the V D Satheesan government.

At that event, the complete version of Vande Mataram was rendered reportedly following instructions from Lok Bhavan. The decision had sparked a political controversy at the time.

The latest clarification from Lok Bhavan distances it from any similar instruction for the upcoming Independence Day functions, even as the differing statements from the government have left questions over the source of the purported directive.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman