J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Warns Congress Over Full Vande Mataram Requirement
Omar Abdullah said Congress wants more Kashmiris jailed, insisting the full national song must be played at government events and legal action will follow for non-compliance.
At a press briefing in Srinagar, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retorted to Congress criticism by questioning whether the party wants more Kashmiris imprisoned. He reiterated that playing the entire six-verse Vande Mataram at government functions is a legal requirement and warned that officials who do not stand for the full anthem could be prosecuted. Abdullah blamed Congress for turning the matter into a political stunt and said the party should repeal the mandate in Parliament, expressing hope that Congress will soon form the government and do so.
The controversy erupted after Congress MP K C Venugopal, speaking at the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir, suggested only the first two stanzas be performed, invoking the legacy of freedom fighters. Abdullah framed the issue as a clash between national symbols and partisan politics.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights tensions over national symbols and political maneuvering in Jammu & Kashmir.
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