Full Breakdown
BJP Legislators Sing Full “Vande Mataram” After Karnataka Government Limits Rendition to Two Stanzas
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
During a special three-day legislative session in Karnataka, the official recording of the national song “Vande Mataram” was stopped after the first two stanzas, as required by a state government order. Immediately afterward, BJP members in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council resumed singing the remaining stanzas, turning the proceedings into a visible protest against the restriction. The incident occurred on a Monday when the session was convened to discuss severe drought and the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats.
Background & Context
The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, issued an order that only the first two stanzas of “Vande Mataram” be sung or played at most state programmes, reserving the full six-stanza version for events attended by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor. The order, dated September 8, 2026, cited guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
At the national level, the Union Home Ministry released guidelines in January stating that the complete six-stanza version should be sung before the National Anthem when both are rendered together, as part of commemorations marking 150 years of the song. The Congress party historically follows a 1937 Congress Working Committee resolution that limits its own party events to the first two stanzas.
Data & Statistics
- Two stanzas: mandated for routine state programmes.
- Six stanzas: required only for events with the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor, per the September 8, 2026 order.
- September 16: BJP MLA S N Channabasappa walked out of a government programme on International Democracy Day after the two-stanza rendition.
- September 19: The same MLA raised the issue again during a discussion of the Kasturirangan report, prompting a brief commotion.
Official Statements & Responses
- Chief Minister D K Shivakumar reiterated that the state will continue the Congress-tradition of singing only the first two stanzas at public and official programmes.
- He framed the full recitation by BJP legislators as a defense of national dignity.
- Speaker G S Patil allowed the Assembly to proceed with condolences after the two-stanza rendition, after which BJP members raised slogans and continued the song.
On-the-Ground Reports
Audience members reacted with raised voices; some stage participants surrounded the MLA and asked him to return to his seat. The Chief Minister was seen patting the MLA before the latter left the programme.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The people’s response is an answer to the MLA,” — Shivakumar, led by chief
What’s Next
The BJP has organized a statewide padayatra to press the Karnataka government to rescind the two-stanza restriction. No further official timetable for a policy review has been announced.
