Archive · 24 Aug 2026
UP Speaker Faces Opposition Flak Over National Anthem Exit
A video from an event in Unnao caused a political argument.
It seemed to show Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana walking toward his car while the national anthem was playing.
Opposition leaders said this was disrespectful.
Mahana gave a different explanation.
He said the anthem was playing inside the auditorium, while he was outside receiving a police guard of honour.
He said the two events happened separately.
A BJP spokesperson said the incident may have been an accidental lapse.
The disagreement is also connected to a larger argument between political parties about national songs and nationalism.
A video appears to show Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana leaving as the national anthem played at an Unnao event.
Mahana said the anthem was being played inside the auditorium while he was outside receiving a guard of honour.
Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders accused him of disrespecting the anthem and alleged BJP double standards on nationalism.
BJP spokesperson Harish Chandra Srivastava said the incident may have been an unnoticed lapse that was being exaggerated.
The controversy follows wider political disputes over the singing of Vande Mataram at party programmes.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, opposition leaders from the Congress and Samajwadi Party, and BJP spokesperson Harish Chandra Srivastava.
- What
- A video prompted criticism after Mahana appeared to leave while the national anthem was playing; Mahana disputed that interpretation.
- When
- The incident occurred on Saturday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- At SVM Inter College in Puran Nagar, Unnao, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Opposition leaders viewed the video as disrespectful, while Mahana said the anthem was playing inside the auditorium and he was outside at a separate guard-of-honour ceremony.
Opposition Criticism
Mahana and BJP Response
What the video shows
Opposition Criticism
Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders said Mahana accepted the salute and walked away while the national anthem was playing, making the conduct disrespectful.
Mahana and BJP Response
Mahana said the anthem was being played inside the auditorium, where he was not present, while he was outside receiving a guard of honour.
Political standards
Opposition Criticism
Opposition leaders accused the BJP of applying different standards by criticizing other parties over nationalism while defending its own leaders.
Mahana and BJP Response
The BJP rejected the criticism as exaggerated, with its spokesperson saying the incident may have been an accidental lapse rather than a deliberate act.
Meaning of the incident
Opposition Criticism
Opposition leaders described the conduct of a constitutional officeholder as a serious matter and argued that nationalism issues were being used politically.
Mahana and BJP Response
Mahana said the video was being misleadingly analyzed and asked that the facts be verified before drawing conclusions.
- Speaker
- Satish Mahana, who represents the Maharajpur assembly constituency in Kanpur.
- Event
- The provincial convention and seminar of the principals' council.
- Location
- SVM Inter College, Puran Nagar, Unnao.
- Video claim
- A purported video appears to show Mahana leaving toward his vehicle while the anthem continued.
- Mahana's explanation
- He said the guard of honour and the anthem were separate events, with the anthem playing inside the auditorium.
- Opposition response
- Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders called the conduct disrespectful and accused the BJP of double standards.
- BJP response
- Spokesperson Harish Chandra Srivastava said the incident may have been an unnoticed mistake and was being blown out of proportion.