A fresh controversy surrounding the observance of the national song has emerged from a government event in the Kasaragod district of Kerala. During an official function, the state health minister and several other dignitaries sat down in their seats before the singing of the national song had fully concluded. The incident came to light after video footage of the event was widely circulated, sparking intense discussions.
The Event at the Kasaragod Government Hospital
The incident took place during the inauguration of a laboratory at the Government Mulleria Family Health Center located in the northern district of Kasaragod. Visuals broadcasted by news channels showed that Health Minister K. Murlidharan, along with the district collector, Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan, and MLA K. Mahin, took their seats before the national song finished playing. In contrast, MLA K. Neelakandan and District Congress Committee President P. K. Faisal remained standing until the entire song was completed.
Conversation During the National Song
According to the footage, after the first two stanzas of the national song were sung, the minister and others attempted to take their seats, and as the singing continued, they settled into their chairs. The video also captured the minister conversing with individuals seated next to him while the national song was still being performed.
Ongoing Debate Over Central Directives
This event occurred amidst an ongoing debate regarding central directives that mandate the full recitation of Vande Mataram at government functions. The Congress party maintains that singing only the initial two stanzas is sufficient. Murlidharan had previously stated that the full version of the song would not be performed in Kerala and that official events would only feature the first two stanzas.
