Archive · 10 Aug 2026
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.
Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan and Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan said on Sunday that the full version of Vande Mataram will not be sung in Kerala.
Muraleedharan said only the first two couplets of the national song will be sung in state government programmes, continuing past practice.
Unnithan said the full rendition will not take place 'in this lifetime' and will not be sung 'even if Narendra Modi threatens to shoot us down'.
The statements responded to an August 6 letter by Kerala Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha on the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, observed from August 9 to 17.
The opposition CPI(M) criticised the letter, demanded its withdrawal, and alleged the state government was surrendering to the RSS agenda.
Muraleedharan noted the full rendition was sung at the oath-taking ceremony because it was held in the presence of the Governor.
- Who
- Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan, Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan, Kerala Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha, the opposition CPI(M), Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Union Ministry of Culture.
- What
- Kerala leaders said the full version of Vande Mataram will not be sung in the state, responding to an official letter directing collective singing of the national song during the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
- When
- Sunday, August 9, 2026, ahead of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign observed from August 9 to 17, 2026.
- Where
- Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
- Why
- Unnithan says the full rendition cannot be accepted and alleges Governors have become 'sycophants of the central government'; Muraleedharan says Kerala will continue its own protocol; CPI(M) alleges the state government is surrendering to the RSS agenda.
Opponents of full rendition
Government and official instructions
Full rendition of Vande Mataram in Kerala
Opponents of full rendition
Unnithan says the full version will not be sung in Kerala 'in this lifetime,' even if Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'threatens to shoot us down'; Muraleedharan says only the first two couplets will be sung, as in the past.
Government and official instructions
The letter, following a communication from the Union Ministry of Culture, says the Government of India's instructions regarding the recitation of Vande Mataram will be followed in full.
Purpose of the letter
Opponents of full rendition
CPI(M) alleges the state government is surrendering to the RSS agenda by issuing such directions and demands the letter's withdrawal.
Government and official instructions
The letter integrates the campaign with the third phase of the nationwide commemoration of 150 years of the National Song, as approved by the National Implementation Committee chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Protocol in programmes attended by the Governor
Opponents of full rendition
Unnithan alleges Governors have turned into 'sycophants of the central government' and are working to 'sabotage democracy with money power'; Muraleedharan says central government protocol will not be followed in Kerala government programmes.
Government and official instructions
Muraleedharan notes the full rendition was sung at the oath-taking ceremony because it was held in the presence of the Governor, and central government protocol is followed in such programmes in all states.
- Speakers
- Health Minister K Muraleedharan; Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan
- Date of statement
- August 9, 2026
- Location
- Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
- Campaign
- Har Ghar Tiranga (August 9-17, 2026)
- Letter issued by
- Kerala Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha (August 6)
- Background
- Third phase of nationwide commemoration of 150 years of the National Song, under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav launched in 2022
- State practice
- Only the first two couplets of Vande Mataram sung at Kerala state programmes
- Key demand
- CPI(M) demanded withdrawal of the letter
Sources
Vande Mataram Row: Kerala Rejects Full Rendition, Sticks to Two Couplets
Vande Mataram full version won't be sung in Kerala ‘in this lifetime’: Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan
Vande Mataram will not be sung in full in Kerala: Minister
