Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar has expressed displeasure after the instrumental rendition of Vande Mataram at the opening of the Kerala Legislative Assembly session was played only in part.
The controversy arose as the newly elected Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government, headed by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, began its first Assembly sitting in Thiruvananthapuram. Ahead of the Governor’s address, an orchestra played the tune of Vande Mataram, but only the first two stanzas were included.
Arlekar said that when the Governor attends an Assembly event, the song should be presented in full, and noted that the state government had been informed earlier. He termed the partial performance—especially as an instrumental version—as a breach of protocol.
BJP leaders, including three MLAs, condemned the move after the session. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that the Kerala government had violated constitutional tradition by shortening the song and claimed it was done under political pressure within the ruling alliance.
Responding to the criticism, Chief Minister Satheesan said there is no parliamentary law requiring Vande Mataram to be performed in full, adding that the Centre has issued only guidelines. He said the Assembly’s presentation followed the UDF coalition’s policy stance.
