Opposition Leader Calls for Withdrawal of Order on 'Vande Mataram' Performance in Kerala

The leader of the opposition in the Kerala Assembly, Pinarayi Vijayan, has urged the state government to retract an order mandating the full rendition of 'Vande Mataram' during Independence Day celebrations. He accused the government of yielding to the agenda of the RSS. Responding to questions from reporters, Vijayan stated that singing the complete version of 'Vande Mataram' does not align with the secular principles of the nation, asserting that the Constituent Assembly had determined that only the initial verses should be sung.

Vijayan emphasized that there is a widely accepted understanding regarding 'Vande Mataram' in the country. He pointed out that the song does not fully adhere to secularism. When the decision was made to establish a secular nation, the Constituent Assembly explicitly decided that songs not in line with secular values should not be performed in their entirety. He noted that there is nothing wrong with singing the initial verses, as the Assembly had concluded that only the first few lines should be sung. This was a policy upheld by leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, and was also the stance of the Congress party. Vijayan remarked that this policy shifted after the current government took office, referencing the full rendition of 'Vande Mataram' during the cabinet oath-taking ceremony. This change occurred when the UDF government assumed power, with the complete song being sung on the very first day of the cabinet's swearing-in ceremony.

Vijayan stated that the complete rendition of 'Vande Mataram' aligns with the policies and agenda of the RSS. He criticized the government for its apparent submission to this agenda, which has faced significant backlash. He noted that the issue resurfaced following reports that the full version of 'Vande Mataram' would be sung alongside the national anthem during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15. He expressed that if this is indeed the case, it poses a serious concern, as it reflects the RSS's agenda, which has not been accepted by the nation. When it comes to singing 'Vande Mataram', only the initial lines should be performed. Vijayan concluded by stating that from the oath-taking ceremony to current events, it is evident how much the government is bowing to the RSS agenda, emphasizing the need for immediate rectification of this matter.