The Kerala government skipped the rendition of Vande Mataram during the Independence Day celebrations at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
The decision came despite a communication from the Centre that was forwarded by Kerala Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha to departments asking government bodies to include the full six-stanza version of the national song as part of the Independence Day programme.
Senior Congress leaders, including Health Minister K. Muraleedharan and Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan, had earlier indicated that only the first two stanzas would traditionally be sung.
However, the state government ultimately did not include the song in the official programme.
The decision drew criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress-led government of avoiding the song and alleged that its position was influenced by its alliance partner, the Indian Union Muslim League.
Satheesan focuses on democracy and constitutional values
After hoisting the national flag, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan used his Independence Day speech to focus on democracy, constitutional rights, secularism and social equality.
He began by remembering people who lost their lives in recent landslides and floods in Kerala.
“The government will stand firmly by those families. As always, united as one, we will overcome any crisis,” Satheesan said.
Speaking about democracy, the chief minister stressed the importance of disagreement and open discussion.
“Democracy is a continuous process of communication and engagement. Dissent, questioning, open dialogue and correction rejuvenate democracy,” he said.
He added that democracy should not become a system where people are expected to have identical beliefs or lifestyles.
“Let us become guardians and fighters who protect a strong democracy rooted in open-mindedness, tolerance, dialogue, correction and renewal,” Satheesan said.
CM warns against caste discrimination
Satheesan also expressed concern over what he described as attacks on constitutional values, including secularism, equality and freedom of expression.
Without naming Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, he referred to the recent controversy surrounding the alleged caste-based humiliation of a senior political leader.
“What message is being conveyed to the country? India should not go back to a period marked by caste prejudice and untouchability. We should not return to those dark times,” he said.
“If such attempts are being made, it’s our duty and responsibility to oppose them tooth and nail,” he added.
The chief minister also invoked the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, saying their principles were increasingly relevant.
Vande Mataram sung at other Kerala events
While the song was absent from the state government’s main Independence Day programme, Vande Mataram was reportedly sung at the Lok Bhavan and at the BJP-ruled Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation.
A similar political divide was visible at the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation, where BJP councillors recited Vande Mataram while the CPI(M)-controlled civic body conducted the national anthem.
The controversy had also extended to schools. Although some educational institutions had included Vande Mataram in their Independence Day programmes after the Centre’s communication, a Kerala General Education Department circular issued on August 11 asked schools to hoist the national flag and recite the national anthem without specifically mentioning Vande Mataram.
The BJP had announced plans to sing the complete version of the song at thousands of locations across Kerala.
The issue has remained politically contentious in Kerala, with disagreements also emerging over the song during the state Assembly’s first session and the Cabinet’s swearing-in ceremony earlier this year.
