Vande Mataram not sung at Kerala State-level I-Day function

India's Independence Day, observed annually on August 15, marks the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Official functions across the country include flag hoisting, singing of the national anthem, and in many cases, the national song Vande Mataram.

This Independence Day, the State-level function in Kerala, held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, did not include the rendition of Vande Mataram. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan hoisted the national flag, after which the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, was played. The national song was not part of the official ceremony.

The omission comes amid a controversy over fresh guidelines on the rendition of Vande Mataram and amendments to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, which now extend statutory protection to the song. A day prior, the State government had issued a circular specifying that the national anthem would be played at the celebrations. This circular did not mention Vande Mataram. Separately, a circular from the Centre, earlier forwarded by Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha to all State government institutions, had called for the full version of Vande Mataram to be sung as part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign.

Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, holds the status of a national song, distinct from the national anthem. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, originally enacted in 1971, has been amended by the Union government to bring Vande Mataram under its protection. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines recommending the singing of Vande Mataram on occasions such as Independence Day and Republic Day. However, State governments have the discretion to adopt these guidelines.

The varying practice at official functions highlights the ongoing debate over the role of Vande Mataram in government ceremonies. While some states have followed the central guidelines, others have chosen to retain the national anthem as the sole musical component of such events.

At the Independence Day celebrations organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, which is ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vande Mataram was sung in full. Mayor V.V. Rajesh hoisted the national flag, and the national anthem was subsequently played. Opposition councillors did not attend the event.

Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan hoisted the national flag at the Kerala Legislative Assembly to mark the day. He also paid tributes at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar and K.R. Narayanan on the Assembly campus. Deputy Speaker Shanimol Osman and Assembly Secretary (in-charge) Shaji C. Baby were among those present.

State Election Commissioner N. Seshadrinathan hoisted the national flag at the State Election Commission (SEC). In his address, he called for a concerted effort to keep the younger generation away from narcotics and urged government employees to keep public spaces free of corruption. SEC Secretary E.P. Sajeev and other staff were present.

At the Sainik School in Kazhakuttam, Principal Colonel Abhishek Vohra hoisted the national flag and took the salute of the cadet contingents. As part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, cadets spread awareness about the significance of the national flag and the ideals embodied by the tricolour. They visited staff quarters and handed over national flags to staff members.