Kerala Refuses Full Vande Mataram, Retains Two Couplets

People in Kerala have decided not to sing the full version of a famous Indian patriotic song called Vande Mataram.

The central government asked everyone to sing the complete song during a special flag campaign called Har Ghar Tiranga, which means 'Tricolour at Every Home.'

The campaign runs from August 9 to 17, when people are asked to sing the song and show the Indian flag.

They can also take 'Selfies with Tricolour' and upload them online.

Kerala's Health Minister said only the first two lines of the song will be sung at state programmes, as has always been the practice.

A Congress leader said the full song will not be sung 'in this lifetime,' even if Prime Minister Narendra Modi threatens them.

He also said Governors have become 'sycophants of the central government.'

The minister said the full song was only sung at the oath-taking ceremony because the Governor was present.

Another group called CPI(M) said the government should take back its order.

So there is a big argument about how the song should be used.