BJP Calls Karnataka Government Order ‘Illegal’, Accuses Congress of Appeasement Politics
New Delhi (Economy India): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday stepped up its attack on the Congress over the Karnataka government’s decision to limit the rendition of the national song “Vande Mataram” BJP Targets Congress Over Karnataka Order Limiting Vande Mataram to Two Stanzas” to its first two stanzas at most official state programmes.
The BJP termed the Karnataka government’s order “illegal” and alleged that the decision reflected the Congress’ alleged policy of appeasing radical elements and the Muslim League.
The controversy comes amid a wider political debate over whether the complete six-stanza version of Vande Mataram should be rendered at official and political events.
What Does the Karnataka Order Say?
The Karnataka government has directed that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung or played at state government programmes and official functions.
According to the order issued following a state Cabinet decision, the restriction will not apply to programmes attended by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor. At such events, the complete version may be rendered.
The state government has said the protocol is aimed at maintaining uniformity, dignity and proper etiquette while rendering the national song at official functions.
BJP Calls Decision ‘Illegal’
Reacting to the Karnataka government’s decision, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused the Congress of compromising on the national song for political considerations.
Trivedi alleged that the decision was evidence of what he described as the Congress’ “complete surrender” before radical forces and the Muslim League.
He further attacked the Congress’ political position on Vande Mataram, alleging that the party was increasingly adopting a stance influenced by what the BJP considers appeasement politics.
The BJP has repeatedly criticised the Congress over its position that only the first two stanzas should be sung at its programmes.
Sudhanshu Trivedi Attacks Congress
Trivedi also launched a sharp personal and political attack on the Congress, saying the party had effectively become what he described as a “new Muslim League” and used the phrase “dिमागी नक्सल” while targeting its political approach.
The BJP leader alleged that Congress-ruled state governments were now being used to implement what he termed “illegal” restrictions on the complete rendition of Vande Mataram.
These remarks are part of the BJP’s broader criticism of the Congress’ recent decision-making on the national song.
Congress’ 1937 Position at Centre of Dispute
The latest Karnataka controversy is linked to a long-standing Congress position on Vande Mataram.
On August 19, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) reaffirmed its position that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung at Congress party programmes, referring to the party’s 1937 resolution.
The BJP subsequently criticised the decision, arguing that limiting the song amounted to disrespecting its historical and national significance.
The dispute has since expanded beyond party programmes and into government functions in Karnataka.
Centre’s 2026 Guideline on Vande Mataram
The controversy has also emerged against the backdrop of a new Centre-led focus on the complete version of Vande Mataram.
In January 2026, the Union Home Ministry issued guidelines concerning the six-stanza version of the National Song. The government subsequently moved toward wider dissemination of the complete version as part of the commemoration of 150 years of Vande Mataram.
The Press Information Bureau said in March that Akashvani would begin broadcasting the full six-stanza version from March 26, 2026, replacing its traditional two-stanza broadcast.
Vande Mataram Becomes a Political Flashpoint
The issue has now become a wider political flashpoint involving the BJP, Congress and some of their allies.
A separate controversy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after the full six-stanza version was rendered at the inaugural ceremony of the first International Film Festival in Srinagar, attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
The development led to differences between the Congress and its National Conference ally, with Congress leader K C Venugopal asking allies to follow the party’s position on the first two stanzas.
The BJP has used these developments to intensify its criticism of the Congress.
National Song vs Political Debate
Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has played a major role in India’s freedom movement and is officially recognised as the National Song of India.
The current political dispute is not about its status as the National Song but about which portion should be rendered at particular official or political events.
The Karnataka government maintains that its two-stanza protocol is intended to ensure consistency and appropriate protocol at state functions. The BJP, however, argues that restricting the complete song is an inappropriate political decision.
BJP-Congress Clash Likely to Continue
The Karnataka order has added another dimension to the already intense political debate surrounding Vande Mataram.
For the Congress, the first-two-stanza position is rooted in its historical 1937 resolution and its stated interpretation of the song’s use in political programmes. For the BJP, the complete rendition is closely linked to the national song’s historical legacy and patriotic significance.
With the issue now extending to government functions, party programmes and relations between political allies, the debate over Vande Mataram is likely to remain politically significant.
Economy India will continue to track developments surrounding the Karnataka government’s order and the wider political debate over the National Song.
(Economy India)
