Kerala CM: Our stand on Vande Mataram will be evident on Independence Day

Amid a political row over the recitation of Vande Mataram in full, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday said the state government has its own clear stand on the issue, which will be evident to everyone on Independence Day.

Speaking to the media after a Cabinet meeting, Mr. Satheesan did not directly confirm or deny whether the song will be sung in its entirety during the August 15 celebrations. His remarks came in response to questions about a recent directive from the Chief Secretary asking government departments to ensure the full recital of the song.

The controversy follows a directive issued by Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha on August 6, aligning the state with the Union government's Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. The Union Ministry of Culture had communicated on July 14 that the campaign would be observed from August 9 to 17, and that all physical celebrations during this period must combine the collective singing of Vande Mataram with the hoisting of the national flag. The letter also stated that the Government of India's instructions for recitation of Vande Mataram “will be followed in full.”

The directive was issued against the backdrop of the recent enactment of a law that makes intentional insult to Vande Mataram a punishable offence with a jail term of up to three years. The law, which received the President's assent, also mandates that the song be sung in full.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government has faced criticism from the Opposition, with Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan alleging that the government was toeing the Sangh Parivar's line. Mr. Vijayan argued that while singing the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram was acceptable, the full song — which includes references to deities of a specific religion — goes against the secular spirit of the country. He cited the opinion of the Constituent Assembly, which had similarly expressed reservations about the later stanzas.

The Chief Minister responded by clarifying that the Chief Secretary's directions were related to the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. He added, however, that the UDF has a clear stand on the issue and will act only as per that stand. He did not elaborate further.

The controversy has also been fuelled by reports that some schools and institutions have already issued instructions mandating the full singing of the song. Meanwhile, an earlier circular issued by the General Administration Department on August 4 makes no mention of Vande Mataram recital as part of Independence Day celebrations, adding to the perceived ambiguity.

The Local Self-Government Department and the General Education Department have been designated as the nodal departments for the programme. It remains unclear whether the state will issue a revised directive or allow individual institutions to decide on the matter.

Political observers note that the issue has placed the UDF government in a delicate position, balancing its secular credentials with compliance with central directives. The Chief Minister's statement suggests that the government is likely to take a considered position that respects both legal requirements and the state's political sensitivities.

As Independence Day approaches, all eyes will be on how Kerala reconciles these competing demands. The Chief Minister's assurance that the stand will be “made clear” on the day indicates that the government has reached a decision, though it has chosen not to pre-empt the announcement.