Opposition Leader Demands Withdrawal of Order on Full Version of National Song in Kerala

In Kerala, opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan has called for the withdrawal of a directive requiring the full rendition of 'Vande Mataram' during Independence Day celebrations. He argues that this move aligns with the RSS agenda and contradicts the secular principles established by the Constituent Assembly. Vijayan emphasizes that only the initial verses should be sung, reflecting a broader concern about the government's shift in policy since the UDF took power. This controversy has sparked criticism from various political leaders, raising questions about the state's adherence to secular values.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 8, 2026, 18:32 IST

Call for Reversal of Order on 'Vande Mataram'

On Saturday, Pinarayi Vijayan, the leader of the opposition in the Kerala Assembly, urged the state government to retract its directive mandating the singing of the complete version of the national song 'Vande Mataram' during Independence Day celebrations. He accused the state administration of yielding to the agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Responding to reporters, Vijayan stated that the full rendition of 'Vande Mataram' does not align with the secular principles of the nation.

Historical Context of 'Vande Mataram'

Vijayan asserted that the Constituent Assembly had determined that only the initial verses of the song should be sung. He remarked, "There is a general consensus in our country regarding 'Vande Mataram'—it is not entirely in accordance with secularism. When we decided to become a secular nation, the Assembly itself concluded that songs not aligned with secularism should not be sung in that manner." He emphasized that singing only the initial verses of 'Vande Mataram' is acceptable.

Shift in Government Policy

He noted that the policy had changed following the current government's rise to power, highlighting that during the cabinet oath-taking ceremony, the complete version of 'Vande Mataram' was sung. Vijayan pointed out, "This shift occurred when the new United Democratic Front (UDF) government took office. On the very first day, the entire 'Vande Mataram' was sung during the cabinet's oath-taking ceremony." He criticized this as an RSS agenda, claiming the government has shown complete submission to it.

Concerns Over Independence Day Celebrations

Vijayan expressed that this issue has resurfaced following reports that the complete version of 'Vande Mataram' would be sung alongside the national anthem during the Independence Day celebrations. He stated, "If this is the case, it is a serious matter. This is an RSS policy; our country has not accepted it. When it comes to singing 'Vande Mataram', only the initial verses should be sung." He called for immediate rectification of this matter.

Criticism from Other Political Leaders

Senior leader P. Rajeev from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) criticized the UDF government regarding the chief secretary's order. In a Facebook post on Saturday, he alleged that the state government was waiting for a message from the central Ministry of Culture before making this decision. Rajeev questioned, "If the government must operate according to the central government's directives, then the chief secretary is sufficient. Is there any need for the chief minister and ministers to occupy their positions?" He accused the UDF government of accepting this decision without opposition.

Congress's Stance on 'Vande Mataram'

Rajeev further stated, "The national stance of Congress is that 'Vande Mataram' should not be sung in full." He called on K.C. Venugopal, the All India Congress Committee General Secretary, to clarify whether there has been any change in this stance. If Congress's policy remains unchanged, he urged Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to clarify his party affiliation. He also criticized the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for not objecting to this directive.

Official Communication from the Chief Secretary

Kerala's Chief Secretary, Vishwanath Sinha, issued a letter on August 6 regarding the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, following a message from the central Ministry of Culture. The letter stated that this campaign, initiated in 2022 as part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', would be celebrated nationwide in 2026 to mark the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram'. The letter indicated that all events during this period would involve singing the complete version of 'Vande Mataram' collectively alongside the hoisting of the national flag.