Kerala Congress Refuses Full Vande Mataram Ahead of Independence Day

India is getting ready for a big celebration on 15 August 2026, its 80th Independence Day.

This year is also the 150th birthday of a very old patriotic song called Vande Mataram, which helped Indian people fight for freedom from British rule long ago.

The national government in New Delhi wants everyone, including leaders at the Red Fort, to sing all six verses of the song.

But some leaders in the southern state of Kerala do not want to sing the whole song.

They say the later verses praise Hindu gods and goddesses, and government events should not include religious songs because India has many religions.

A leader named Rajmohan Unnithan said he would not sing the whole song even if someone threatened to shoot him.

The government says the song is about loving your country and should be honoured completely on its 150th anniversary.

There is also a new rule being made that could mean jail time for people who insult the song.

So, many people in India are arguing about what matters more: honouring a patriotic song or keeping religion out of government events.