BJP legislators sing full Vande Mataram in Karnataka assembly after two-stanza limit
In the Karnataka Assembly, BJP members sang the entire Vande Mataram after officials restricted it to two verses, accusing the state government of political appeasement.
A government directive dated September 8, 2026, limited the rendition of Vande Mataram at Karnataka state functions to its first two stanzas, aligning with Union Ministry of Home Affairs instructions. BJP MLA SR Vishwanath criticized the move, alleging it was designed to accommodate Congress figures including Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. During a session of the Karnataka Assembly at the Vidhana Soudha, BJP legislators ignored the order and sang the complete version of the national song.
Vishwanath framed the action as a stand against the perceived truncation of a piece he equated with the national anthem. The episode underscores the partisan clash over cultural symbols and the interpretation of central guidelines by state authorities.
Why it matters
The protest reveals deep partisan disputes over national symbols and state compliance with central directives.
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