Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Kozhikode Corporation Row Over Vande Mataram on Independence Day
On August 15, India celebrates Independence Day, the day the country became free.
People all over India hoist flags and sing songs to celebrate.
At the city government office in Kozhikode, Kerala, politicians gathered for the celebration.
After the flag was raised, a group of politicians from the BJP party started singing a patriotic song called Vande Mataram.
At the same time, other politicians began singing the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
The two groups then argued because they were upset with each other.
The BJP politicians said the Mayor and Deputy Mayor did not respect Vande Mataram.
The Mayor said the BJP politicians never asked permission to sing the song and that nobody stopped them.
The BJP politicians said they may go to court about this and are also holding Vande Mataram events across Kerala.
A row erupted at the Kozhikode Corporation office during Independence Day celebrations when 13 BJP councillors sang Vande Mataram while LDF and UDF councillors sang the national anthem Jana Gana Mana.
BJP councillors alleged that Mayor O Sadasivan and the Deputy Mayor belittled the constitutionally approved national song Vande Mataram.
Mayor O Sadasivan said Vande Mataram was not part of the agenda and that the BJP councillors had not approached him seeking permission to sing it.
The Mayor said no one at the event prevented the BJP councillors from singing Vande Mataram, while the BJP councillors said they would take legal action.
The BJP is holding Vande Mataram recital events across Kerala on Independence Day as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations.
- Who
- BJP councillors, LDF and UDF councillors, and Kozhikode Corporation Mayor O Sadasivan
- What
- A political dispute broke out when 13 BJP councillors sang Vande Mataram while LDF and UDF councillors sang the national anthem Jana Gana Mana during Independence Day celebrations
- When
- Saturday, August 15, Independence Day
- Where
- Kozhikode Corporation office, Kozhikode, Kerala
- Why
- BJP councillors wanted Vande Mataram sung as part of the celebrations, while the Mayor said it was not on the agenda and that no permission was sought
Mayor and LDF-UDF councillors
BJP councillors
Permission to sing Vande Mataram
Mayor and LDF-UDF councillors
Mayor Sadasivan said the BJP councillors had not approached him for permission and sang Vande Mataram in between without informing anyone.
BJP councillors
BJP councillors said they had told the Mayor that Vande Mataram should be sung and that they sang the full version before leaving the venue.
Respect for Vande Mataram
Mayor and LDF-UDF councillors
The Mayor said none of the councillors objected to or prevented the BJP councillors from singing, and the issue arises only when someone is prevented from singing it.
BJP councillors
BJP councillors alleged the Mayor and Deputy Mayor had belittled the constitutionally approved national song Vande Mataram and said they would move legally against them.
- Event
- Independence Day celebrations at Kozhikode Corporation
- Location
- Kozhikode, Kerala
- Mayor
- O Sadasivan
- Disputing group
- 13 BJP councillors singing Vande Mataram
- Council composition
- LDF 35, UDF 28, BJP 13 councillors
- Songs involved
- Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana
- BJP actions
- Planned legal action; Vande Mataram events across Kerala for the party's 150th anniversary