Shillong: The Karnataka government issued a new mandate this Thursday regarding the national song Vande Mataram. Officials now require only the first two stanzas at most state events. It is a major shift. The order originates from the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.
Uniformity is the stated goal. The state government claims this rule ensures proper respect and consistent protocol during official functions. Rules change for high-profile guests. If the President, Prime Minister, or Governor attends, the full song must play.
The policy leans on federal guidelines. According to the state order, "The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has issued guidelines on the official version of the national song 'Vande Mataram' and its singing or playing at various government and public functions, to be followed as appropriate for the occasion."
This move carries heavy political baggage. The original song contains six stanzas. In February, the federal government moved to mandate the full version for all public gatherings. They also proposed a bill to criminalize any obstruction of the song. Congress members maintain that a 1937 leadership decision, supported by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, justifies the use of only the first two stanzas. State authorities now brace for a fresh round of political fighting over the protocol.
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