Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Governor Challenges Karnataka’s Two-Stanza Vande Mataram Order
Karnataka has ordered that only two parts of Vande Mataram be sung at most of its official programmes.
The order has exceptions when important national leaders or the governor attend.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has asked Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to reconsider the rule.
He says the central government has already set an official version and procedure for singing the National Song.
He also pointed to a 2026 law that gives Vande Mataram legal protection.
The governor believes Karnataka’s shorter version might not match the central instructions.
He said this could create questions about the powers of the state and Union governments.
The issue is also being examined by the Karnataka High Court after a legal challenge.
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to reconsider limiting Vande Mataram to two stanzas at state functions.
The September 8, 2026 order requires only the first two stanzas at Karnataka government programmes, with exceptions for events attended by senior national leaders or the governor.
Gehlot said Ministry of Home Affairs instructions prescribe an official version and protocol for the National Song, including during mass singing.
He cited the 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, which extended statutory protection to Vande Mataram.
The governor said the policy could raise constitutional questions and is under judicial scrutiny in the Karnataka High Court following a public-interest litigation challenge.
- Who
- Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot wrote to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar about the state government’s order.
- What
- Gehlot asked Karnataka to reconsider its policy limiting Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at official functions.
- When
- The state order was dated September 8, 2026, and Gehlot’s letter was dated September 22, 2026.
- Where
- The policy concerns Karnataka government functions; the order is also under scrutiny in the Karnataka High Court.
- Why
- Gehlot said the restriction may conflict with Ministry of Home Affairs instructions, the 2026 national-honour amendment and constitutional rules on Union-state executive powers.
Governor’s Position
Karnataka Government Policy
Length and protocol
Governor’s Position
Gehlot said Karnataka should follow the Union government’s prescribed official version and protocol rather than impose a truncated rendition.
Karnataka Government Policy
The Karnataka government’s order limits the song to its first two stanzas at state programmes, subject to specified exceptions.
Legal and constitutional authority
Governor’s Position
Gehlot argued that the order may conflict with central instructions, the amended national-honour law and the constitutional distribution of executive powers.
Karnataka Government Policy
The state has adopted the two-stanza rule for its official functions; the articles do not state the government’s legal justification for the policy.
Future of the order
Governor’s Position
The governor urged reconsideration to avoid conflict with Union protocol and possible constitutional litigation.
Karnataka Government Policy
The policy remains subject to judicial scrutiny in the Karnataka High Court after a public-interest litigation challenge.
- State order
- Karnataka directed that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung at its programmes.
- Order date
- September 8, 2026
- Governor’s letter
- Thaawarchand Gehlot wrote to D.K. Shivakumar on September 22, 2026.
- Exceptions
- The restriction does not apply to programmes attended by the president, vice-president, prime minister or governor.
- Central protocol
- The Ministry of Home Affairs has prescribed an official version and protocol for rendition of the National Song.
- Legal development
- The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026 extended statutory protection to the National Song.
- Constitutional provisions
- Gehlot referred to Articles 162, 256 and 257(1) concerning state and Union executive authority.
- Judicial scrutiny
- The policy is being challenged through a public-interest litigation case in the Karnataka High Court.
