Parallel Independence Day protest in Thrissur over Vande Mataram triggers political row
On the 77th Independence Day, a protest programme organised by the Rashtraraksha Samithi at Thrissur’s Thekkinkadu Maidan added a political edge to the district administration’s official celebrations. The protest, held near the Thekke Gopura Nada, was intended to condemn the Kerala government’s decision to not include the full rendition of Vande Mataram in the official Independence Day function, which was taking place at the Students’ Corner of the same ground.
The Rashtraraksha Samithi, a group known for its nationalist stance, hoisted the national flag and sang the complete Vande Mataram. The BJP State vice-president, K.K. Anish Kumar, participated and addressed the gathering. In his speech, Mr. Anish Kumar took aim at Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, stating that the State should be governed in accordance with the Constitution, "and not according to the directions of any religious leader." He stressed that the government must uphold constitutional principles and respect national symbols.
The event was not left unchallenged. Congress leader Joseph Tajet, who serves as the president of the Thrissur District Congress Committee, condemned the parallel programme as a deliberate provocation. "The BJP-sponsored programme at the same venue and at the same time of the district administration’s official function amounts to a challenge to the administrative system," he said. He further alleged that the programme was part of an attempt to advance a communal agenda and expressed concern that such political activities could detract from the true significance of Independence Day.
Mr. Tajet went on to question the legality of the gathering on temple grounds, citing a Kerala High Court judgment that, according to him, prohibits political functions in Thekkinkadu Maidan. He demanded that Union Minister Suresh Gopi and the BJP’s central and state leadership clarify their position on the matter. Additionally, he urged the Devaswom Board and other relevant authorities to take appropriate action if any rules or court directions had been violated.
The dispute over Vande Mataram is not new. The national song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, has often been a subject of debate in Kerala, with some political parties arguing that its full rendition contains verses that are not in keeping with secular principles. The state government’s decision to omit the full song from official events has drawn criticism from the BJP and allied organisations in the past, which insist that the song must be sung in its entirety as a mark of respect to the nation.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Kerala government or the district administration regarding the allegations made by the Congress leader. The police have not registered any complaint or case in connection with the protest. The incident underscores the deeply contested nature of public expression in the state, where political parties often clash over the use of national symbols and the interpretation of constitutional values.
The Thekkinkadu Maidan, which surrounds the Vadakkunnathan Temple, is a historically significant public space in Thrissur. It has been the site of numerous political rallies and cultural events. However, its proximity to the temple has also made it a point of contention, with periodic orders restricting political activities on the ground. The latest protest and the subsequent reaction indicate that the issue remains contentious.
