Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Karnataka Vande Mataram Order Sparks BJP-Congress Political Clash
The Karnataka government said that only the first two parts of ‘Vande Mataram’ should be sung at official state events.
The BJP disagreed with this decision.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the BJP was using the issue for political reasons.
He said the Congress had already made its position clear.
Congress leader B K Hariprasad defended the government’s order.
He said it was meant to support national unity.
Hariprasad also criticised the BJP’s record during the freedom struggle.
The disagreement has created a political argument in Karnataka.
The Karnataka government ordered that only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ be sung at state government programmes.
The BJP objected to the restriction and criticised the government’s decision.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar accused the BJP of politicising the issue and defended the Congress’s position.
KPCC president B K Hariprasad said the order was intended to promote national unity.
Hariprasad challenged the BJP’s patriotism and alleged that its ideological affiliates had historical links with the British.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, the BJP, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, and KPCC president B K Hariprasad.
- What
- A dispute over the government’s decision to restrict ‘Vande Mataram’ at official programmes to its first two stanzas.
- When
- The leaders’ reactions were reported on Friday; the order’s specific date was not stated.
- Where
- Karnataka, particularly at state government programmes.
- Why
- The government said the decision was in the interest of national unity, while the BJP opposed the restriction.
Karnataka Government and Congress
BJP
How much of the song should be sung
Karnataka Government and Congress
The government and Congress leaders support singing only the first two stanzas at official state programmes.
BJP
The BJP objects to the restriction and has criticised the government’s decision.
Meaning of the decision
Karnataka Government and Congress
D K Shivakumar and B K Hariprasad say the order reflects the Congress’s position and supports national unity.
BJP
The BJP’s criticism frames the restriction as unacceptable, although the article does not state its detailed reasoning.
Patriotism and history
Karnataka Government and Congress
Hariprasad accused the BJP and its ideological affiliates of lacking moral authority to lecture the Congress on patriotism and alleged historical links with the British.
BJP
The BJP criticised the Congress-led government, but the article does not include a detailed response to Hariprasad’s historical allegations.
- State
- Karnataka
- Song
- ‘Vande Mataram’
- Restriction
- Only the first two stanzas are to be sung at state government programmes.
- Opposition
- The BJP criticised and opposed the government’s decision.
- Chief minister’s response
- D K Shivakumar said the BJP was attempting to politicise the issue.
- Congress response
- B K Hariprasad defended the order as serving national unity.
- Historical reference
- Hariprasad said ‘Vande Mataram’ played an important role during the freedom struggle.