New Delhi: Differences between Congress and National Conference regarding the entire version of Vande Mataram have come to the fore. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reacted sharply to Congress' advice, asking whether the party wanted Kashmiris to be sent to jail for following the rules.
What is the whole matter?
In fact, the full version of Vande Mataram was played at the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival held in Srinagar. But Congress had objected to this. Citing its earlier decision, the party had said that only two stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung in its programmes. Congress had also appealed to its ally National Conference to follow the same system.
“The law is clear. Full Vande Mataram is now compulsory. No exceptions. Nowhere.”
—Omar Abdullah
[CM J&K] pic.twitter.com/jWUOk8p3DX— Ajit kumar (@connectajitcpr) September 10, 2026
On this demand of Congress, Omar Abdullah said that now there is a fixed protocol for government and official programs in the entire country. According to him, playing all the verses of Vande Mataram is a part of this system and if the rules are not followed, action can be taken.
What did Chief Minister Omar Abdullah say?
The Chief Minister made it clear that the National Conference has its own political position and the party has never made Vande Mataram a part of its political agenda. However, he said that when legal rules are implemented in an event, it is important to follow them. Omar Abdullah also informed that both the national anthem and national anthem will be presented at the closing ceremony of the international film festival. Earlier on September 7, at the inaugural program of the film festival, Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdullah were seen standing throughout Vande Mataram.
Why did Congress talk about singing two verses?
At the same time, Congress had recently decided to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram in its programs. The party says that the version adopted by the Congress in 1937 should be respected. BJP has also targeted Congress on this issue. BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that Congress's objection to the singing of the entire Vande Mataram shows its political thinking. This entire controversy has also raised questions about the alliance between Congress and National Conference.