1 week ago
Himachal Assembly Adjourns Amid Vande Mataram Singing Dispute
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly began its meeting by singing the national anthem.
BJP members then asked for Vande Mataram to be sung immediately.
The Speaker said the Assembly traditionally sings the national song at the end of the session.
BJP members disagreed and began raising slogans.
Congress members answered with slogans of their own.
The argument became so loud that the Assembly could not continue its work.
The Speaker said the first day also included paying respects to former members who had died.
The meeting was postponed until 11 a.m.
on Saturday, while both parties blamed each other for the disruption.
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly’s Monsoon Session was adjourned within 10 to 11 minutes after a dispute over Vande Mataram.
BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar demanded that the national song be sung at the session’s beginning after the national anthem.
Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said Assembly tradition provides for the anthem at the start and Vande Mataram at the conclusion.
Parmar alleged that singing only two stanzas at Congress events violated a law, while Pathania said the cited Central law does not apply to state Assemblies.
Congress and BJP members exchanged slogans, with both sides later accusing the other of disrespecting national symbols and politicising the issue.
- Who
- The Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, and BJP and Congress members.
- What
- The Assembly’s Monsoon Session was adjourned after a dispute over when Vande Mataram should be sung and whether its full version was required.
- Where
- The Himachal Pradesh Assembly in Shimla.
- When
- Friday, the opening day of the Monsoon Session; proceedings were deferred until 11 a.m. Saturday.
- Why
- The BJP wanted Vande Mataram sung at the beginning, while the Speaker and Chief Minister said Assembly practice places the national song at the session’s conclusion.
Congress and Speaker’s Position
BJP’s Position
Timing of the national song
Congress and Speaker’s Position
Speaker Pathania and Chief Minister Sukhu said the established practice is to sing the national anthem at the beginning and Vande Mataram at the conclusion. Pathania said the full song would be sung at the end.
BJP’s Position
The BJP requested that Vande Mataram also be sung at the beginning of the session and said permission was denied.
Application of the law
Congress and Speaker’s Position
Pathania said the Central government law cited by the BJP does not apply to state Legislative Assemblies and is intended for government functions.
BJP’s Position
Parmar and Thakur said Parliament’s law and the Constitution should govern the issue, and alleged that singing only two stanzas violates the law.
Meaning of the disruption
Congress and Speaker’s Position
Sukhu and Pathania accused the BJP of creating a political uproar, disrespecting the national anthem or Assembly traditions, and disrupting proceedings that included tributes to departed members.
BJP’s Position
The BJP accused Congress of politicising Vande Mataram, disrespecting national symbols and freedom fighters, and refusing to follow Parliament’s law.
Key facts
- Session
- Himachal Pradesh Assembly Monsoon Session
- Opening procedure
- The session began with the national anthem.
- BJP demand
- BJP members sought permission to have Vande Mataram sung at the beginning of the session.
- Speaker’s position
- Kuldeep Singh Pathania said the anthem is sung at the start and the national song at the conclusion, where the full version would be performed.
- Legal disagreement
- Vipin Singh Parmar said a Central law requires the full song in specified circumstances; Pathania said the law applies to government functions, not state Legislative Assemblies.
- Adjournment
- The House was adjourned within approximately 10 to 11 minutes until 11 a.m. Saturday.
- Competing allegations
- Congress leaders accused the BJP of politicising the issue and disrupting mourning proceedings, while BJP leaders accused Congress of disrespecting Vande Mataram and freedom fighters.
Quotes
Kuldeep Singh Pathania
Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
“is governed by laws passed by Parliament and the Constitution, not by the diktats of the Congress Working Committee. His statement regarding the singing of only two stanzas of Vande Mataram is highly condemnable and constitutes an insult to the country's freedom fighters”
thehansindia.com
“does not apply to state Legislative Assemblies and is intended only for government functions”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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