6 hrs ago
Vande Mataram Dispute Strains Congress-National Conference Alliance
A disagreement has started between two political groups in Jammu and Kashmir.
The argument is about whether the full version of Vande Mataram should be sung.
The full song was played at a film festival in Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah stood while it was played.
Congress leaders said only the shorter version adopted by India’s freedom leaders should be used.
They said this would help protect the country’s inclusive and secular character.
The National Conference defended its position by showing videos of Congress chief ministers standing during the full song.
The disagreement has created tension between the two groups, which govern together.
The full version of Vande Mataram was played Monday at the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah were shown standing during the rendition.
Congress leader K.C. Venugopal said the full version conflicts with India’s syncretic and pluralist ethos.
Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra called the alliance partners’ decision a matter of concern.
National Conference spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq responded by citing Congress chief ministers who had also stood during the full song.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress and the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, including leaders Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, K.C. Venugopal, Tariq Hameed Karra and Tanvir Sadiq.
- What
- The parties clashed over the playing and singing of the full version of Vande Mataram.
- Where
- At the ongoing International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir.
- When
- The full version was played on Monday; public criticism and the response followed on Tuesday. The articles also refer to celebrations held last November.
- Why
- Congress leaders said the full version could be communalised and conflicts with a syncretic, pluralist and secular national ethos; the National Conference defended its conduct by pointing to Congress chief ministers who had done the same.
Congress Position
National Conference Position
Which version should be used?
Congress Position
Congress leaders said allies should honor the judgment of freedom leaders and sing only the version they adopted.
National Conference Position
The National Conference government allowed the full version to be played at the film festival, while its spokesperson defended the conduct by citing Congress chief ministers who had also stood during the full song.
Cultural and political meaning
Congress Position
Congress said the full version sits uneasily with India’s syncretic and pluralist ethos and warned that the song could be communalised.
National Conference Position
The National Conference response did not directly address that argument, but challenged Congress to explain why its own chief ministers had stood during the full version.
Key facts
- Song at issue
- The full version of Vande Mataram.
- Event
- International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir.
- People present
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
- Congress position
- Congress supports singing only the version adopted by India’s freedom leaders.
- National Conference response
- Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq cited D.K. Shivakumar and Revanth Reddy standing during the full song.
- Earlier development
- All Kashmir parties stayed away from Vande Mataram’s 150th anniversary celebrations last November.
Quotes
K.C. Venugopal
Senior Congress leader
“The full version of Vande Mataram sits uneasily with the syncretic and pluralist ethos that our freedom fighters envisioned and nurtured for India.”
telegraphindia.com
“Jenab @TariqKarra Sb, please take a look at your Congress CMs and share your valuable thoughts with everyone. Thank you!”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
Pinarayi accuses Congress of soft-Hindutva shift over Vande Mataram
Congress Sticks to Two-Stanza Vande Mataram as BJP Attacks
Congress, BJP Clash Over Two-Stanza Vande Mataram Dispute
BJP Claims Sonia Gandhi Objected to Vande Mataram; Congress Denies
Kerala Congress Refuses Full Vande Mataram Ahead of Independence Day
Congress Two-Stanza Vande Mataram Policy Draws Sharp BJP Attack
Floating Cinema Brings Classic Films to Dal Lake During Festival
Sriram Raghavan urges filmmakers to discover Kashmir’s untold stories
Kashmir’s First Film Festival Reopens Valley’s Cinema Doors
Omar Abdullah Offers Support to Filmmakers Hiring Local J&K Talent
