Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Karnataka Limits Vande Mataram to Two Stanzas at Events
Karnataka has made a rule about singing Vande Mataram at government events.
Usually, only the first two parts, called stanzas, will be sung.
Most reports say the full song will be sung when the president, vice-president, prime minister or governor attends.
One report mentioned only the president, prime minister and governor as exceptions.
The state says the rule will make ceremonies more uniform and respectful.
The Union Home Ministry had earlier said all six stanzas should be sung before Jana Gana Mana when both songs are played together.
Congress says its position follows a 1937 resolution about using two stanzas at party events.
The BJP says Karnataka’s decision weakens a national symbol and is appeasement politics.
Karnataka ordered that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung at state government programmes.
The order makes an exception for programmes attended by the president, vice-president, prime minister or governor; one report listed only the president, prime minister and governor.
The September 8 order followed a state Cabinet decision and cited uniformity, dignity and appropriate protocol.
The Union Home Ministry directed in January that all six stanzas be sung before Jana Gana Mana when both songs are played together.
The BJP called Karnataka’s decision appeasement politics, while Congress cited its 1937 resolution supporting two stanzas at party events.
- Who
- The Karnataka government and Cabinet; the Congress Working Committee, Union Home Ministry and BJP are also involved in the dispute.
- What
- Karnataka ordered that the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung at state government programmes, with exceptions for certain senior constitutional authorities.
- When
- The state order is dated September 8 and was reported on September 10; the Union directive was issued in January and the Congress Working Committee decision was made on August 19.
- Where
- At government programmes and official functions in Karnataka, including events in Bengaluru and elsewhere in the state.
- Why
- The Karnataka government cited uniformity, dignity, respect and appropriate protocol for singing or playing Vande Mataram at official functions.
Karnataka Government and Congress Position
BJP Opposition
Number of stanzas
Karnataka Government and Congress Position
Karnataka ordered two stanzas at state government programmes, and Congress supports two stanzas at party events under its 1937 resolution.
BJP Opposition
The BJP said limiting the song diluted or insulted a national symbol and demanded that the order be withdrawn.
Reason for the rule
Karnataka Government and Congress Position
The state said different occasions require appropriate protocol and that the order would ensure uniformity, dignity and respect.
BJP Opposition
The BJP characterized the decision as appeasement politics and said national symbols should not be altered for political reasons.
Applicable protocol
Karnataka Government and Congress Position
Karnataka’s order sets two stanzas as the standard for state government programmes, with an exception for programmes attended by specified senior constitutional authorities.
BJP Opposition
The Union Home Ministry’s January directive called for all six stanzas before Jana Gana Mana when both songs are played together, creating a different protocol from Karnataka’s general rule.
- Karnataka rule
- Only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram are to be sung at state government programmes.
- Reported exceptions
- Most reports include the president, vice-president, prime minister and governor; one report mentions only the president, prime minister and governor.
- State order
- The order was dated September 8 and followed a Karnataka Cabinet decision.
- Union directive
- When Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana are played together, all six stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung before the National Anthem.
- Congress position
- The Congress Working Committee decided on August 19 to follow its 1937 resolution limiting the song to two stanzas at party events.
- Government rationale
- Karnataka said the protocol would promote uniformity, dignity, respect and appropriate procedure, while recognizing the song’s role in nationalism, unity and patriotism.
- BJP response
- The BJP called the decision appeasement politics and demanded that the order be withdrawn.
Sources
Karnataka Govt Limits Vande Mataram to Two Stanzas at Official Events
K'taka orders singing of only 2 Vande Mataram stanzas
Karnataka govt orders singing of only 2 Vande Mataram stanzas at state programmes
State limits Vande Mataram to first two stanzas at govt events
