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Omar Abdullah Says Full Vande Mataram Is Statutory Obligation
Omar Abdullah is the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said officials must follow a law requiring the full Vande Mataram to be sung at certain government events.
He was responding to criticism from Congress, which is his political ally.
The disagreement began after the full song was performed at a film festival event.
Abdullah said the rule applies throughout India, not only in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said his party does not have to adopt the song as its own policy, but it must obey the law.
He also said Parliament could change the rule in the future.
Abdullah defended a party colleague who spoke about poverty in Kashmir's past.
He additionally said most protesting Kashmiri Pandit employees had already received accommodation.
Omar Abdullah said singing all stanzas of Vande Mataram at official events is a statutory requirement.
He criticized Congress for politicizing the song after its full version was sung at a Jammu and Kashmir film festival.
Abdullah said the requirement applies across India and can be changed only through Parliament.
He said the National Conference has not adopted Vande Mataram as party policy but will follow legal obligations.
Abdullah also defended party spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq and addressed accommodation protests by Kashmiri Pandit employees.
- Who
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the National Conference, and Congress.
- What
- Abdullah said performing all stanzas of Vande Mataram at official events is a statutory obligation and defended his party's position.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, including the inauguration of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir.
- When
- Thursday; Abdullah also referred to the festival's closing ceremony scheduled for the same period.
- Why
- Abdullah said a law requires the song to be performed where the national anthem is played and argued that the issue had been politicized.
Omar Abdullah and National Conference
Congress Critics
Legal requirement
Omar Abdullah and National Conference
Abdullah said the law requires the full Vande Mataram to be performed at official events where the national anthem is played, and that officials must comply.
Congress Critics
Congress criticized the singing of the full version at the Jammu and Kashmir film festival, although the article does not detail its legal argument.
Party policy
Omar Abdullah and National Conference
Abdullah said the National Conference has not adopted Vande Mataram and would not adopt it in the future, while still following statutory obligations.
Congress Critics
Congress's criticism indicates opposition to the way the full rendition was used at the event, according to Abdullah's account.
Key facts
- Main claim
- Omar Abdullah said all stanzas of Vande Mataram must be performed at relevant official functions under a statutory requirement.
- Political dispute
- Abdullah was responding to Congress criticism of the full rendition at the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Geographic scope
- Abdullah said the requirement applies across India, including states governed by Congress.
- National Conference position
- Abdullah said the National Conference has not adopted Vande Mataram as a party policy.
- Possible change
- Abdullah said a future Congress government could revoke the requirement through Parliament.
- Other defense
- He defended Tanvir Sadiq's remarks about historical poverty in Kashmir.
- Accommodation issue
- Abdullah said Kashmiri Pandit employees requiring transit accommodation had generally been allotted housing.
Quotes
Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
“They (Congress) should have stopped this in Parliament. But, a law has been enacted. Now, in a function where two governors, one lieutenant governor, and the acting chief justice of our high court are present, the national anthem will obviously be played.”
telegraphindia.com
“This is now a statutory obligation. Even today, at the closing ceremony, a Union minister will be present. The national anthem will be played there, and the national song will be played too.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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