Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Himachal Speaker Reaffirms Anthem Start, Vande Mataram Session-End Practice
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly argued about when to sing India’s National Anthem and National Song.
The Speaker said the Assembly will start with Jana Gana Mana.
It will finish with Vande Mataram.
He said all six parts of Vande Mataram will be sung on the last day of the session.
Bharatiya Janata Party members wanted a video of an earlier meeting to be released.
They said they had stood respectfully during the National Anthem.
Congress members alleged that some Opposition legislators had disrespected it.
The Bharatiya Janata Party protested, shouted slogans, and briefly left the House.
Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania ruled that Himachal Pradesh Assembly proceedings will begin with Jana Gana Mana and end with Vande Mataram.
The full National Song, including all six stanzas, will be sung on the final day of the session.
The ruling followed a dispute between the Congress government and Bharatiya Janata Party members over the August 21 proceedings.
The Speaker rejected an immediate release of video footage, saying the Opposition’s request remained under consideration.
Bharatiya Janata Party legislators raised slogans, walked out during Question Hour, and later returned before it ended.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, the ruling Congress, and Bharatiya Janata Party legislators led by Jai Ram Thakur.
- What
- The Speaker reaffirmed that proceedings will begin with Jana Gana Mana and conclude with Vande Mataram, while declining to immediately release disputed video footage.
- When
- The ruling was issued on Monday; the original controversy occurred on August 21.
- Where
- The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
- Why
- The decision followed disagreement over the order of the National Anthem and National Song, allegations of disrespect, and demands for video evidence.
Ruling Congress and Speaker
Bharatiya Janata Party Opposition
Assembly procedure
Ruling Congress and Speaker
Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said the Assembly’s established practice remains valid and that the House can decide when to play the National Anthem and National Song.
Bharatiya Janata Party Opposition
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and other Bharatiya Janata Party legislators expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and continued demanding clarification and footage.
Conduct during the National Anthem
Ruling Congress and Speaker
The ruling Congress alleged that some Bharatiya Janata Party members showed disrespect to the National Anthem while seeking that Vande Mataram be sung afterward.
Bharatiya Janata Party Opposition
The Bharatiya Janata Party denied the allegation and maintained that its members stood respectfully during the National Anthem.
Release of video recording
Ruling Congress and Speaker
The Speaker said the August 21 recording was being examined and that there was no established convention of playing video recordings in the House.
Bharatiya Janata Party Opposition
Opposition legislators demanded the immediate release of the recording to establish what happened during the disputed proceedings.
- Assembly practice
- Proceedings begin with Jana Gana Mana and conclude with Vande Mataram.
- Full National Song
- All six stanzas of Vande Mataram will be rendered on the concluding day of the session.
- Speaker
- Kuldeep Singh Pathania said the Assembly can decide when to play the National Anthem and National Song.
- Video footage
- The Speaker said the Opposition’s application for the August 21 recording was under consideration.
- Opposition action
- Bharatiya Janata Party legislators raised slogans and walked out during Question Hour before returning shortly before it ended.
- Government response
- Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said the walkout used the issue as a pretext, while Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri backed the Speaker’s authority.