Story perspectives

Karnataka allows full Vande Mataram only at top events

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 10:09 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Karnataka government limited Vande Mataram to two stanzas, prompting BJP legislators to sing the full song in Assembly.
BJP MLA S R Vishwanath alleged the truncation was intended to please Sonia Gandhi.
BJP launched a statewide padayatra demanding withdrawal of the two-stanza restriction.
The September 8, 2026 order permits full six-stanza Vande Mataram only at events with President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor.

History

Historical Context

In 1992, the Karnataka High Court ruled that Vande Mataram should not be compulsory in schools, curbing its public performance. The bench, led by Justices R K Sundaram and M B Patel, acted on twelve petitions and ordered the song’s removal from curricula. In September 2026, Karnataka limited Vande Mataram to two stanzas, inciting BJP MLA S R Vishwanath, Sonia Gandhi critics, and a statewide padayatra demanding the full six-stanza version. The episode revives historic clashes over national symbols, likely prompting renewed judicial scrutiny and intensified partisan rallies nationwide.

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Story summary

Karnataka government limited Vande Mataram to two stanzas, prompting BJP legislators to sing the full song in Assembly.
BJP MLA S R Vishwanath alleged the truncation was intended to please Sonia Gandhi.
BJP launched a statewide padayatra demanding withdrawal of the two-stanza restriction.
The September 8, 2026 order permits full six-stanza Vande Mataram only at events with President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor.

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