Kochi: The Vande Mataram controversy has rocked Keralam.
Days after the Chief Secretary issued an official letter to all state government departments mandating that Vande Mataram be sung in its entirety during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations, the ruling UDF has asserted that the state will continue with the existing practice of singing first two couplets.
Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan emphasised on Sunday that the full version of Vande Mataram will not be sung in Keralam “even if Narendra Modi threatens to shoot us down.”
Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan echoed that view.
“In all state government programmes only the first two couplets were sung in the past, and that practice will continue even now,” the state minister made it clear.
Unnithan went to the extent of saying that the full rendition of Vande Mataram will not take place in Keralam “in this lifetime.”
The Chief Secretary’s order specifies that the National song must be sung fully at all public functions organised under the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, from August 9 to 17.
The circular is in accordance with special directives from the Union Ministry of Culture.
The Congress leader said while he was unaware of any direction by the Chief Secretary, the National song will be rendered in the manner it has been sung till now. “Nothing more will be sung,” he asserted.
Muraleedharan said that the Chief Secretary sometimes issues circulars in connection with Central government directions as he is duty-bound to do so. “But Keralam will not accept it. We will continue with our earlier system. We will follow the same old protocol in all state government events or programmes. Only the first two couplets will be sung,” the Health minister said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) updated guidelines for India’s National song Vande Mataram, mandating that all six stanzas be sung in full — taking about 3 minutes and 10 seconds — before the National anthem at official state functions, government events and schools, with attendees required to stand in attention.
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026 came into effect recently, granting Vande Mataram the same legal protection as the National anthem. Intentional disruption or obstruction of its singing is now a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine, or both.