NEW DELHI: The Karnataka government on Thursday directed that the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ be played or sung at all state government programmes and official ceremonies.According to a government order dated September 8, 2026, the decision was taken in accordance with guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.The order states that, except at programmes attended by the President, Vice President, Prime Minister or Governor, only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ shall be sung at all state government programmes. The order was issued in the name of the governor of Karnataka.
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The development comes amid a political row over the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’, after Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the full version of the song “sits uneasily” with the syncretic and pluralist ethos envisioned by India’s freedom fighters.Venugopal urged Congress allies to respect the version of the national song adopted by the party in 1937, saying the decision to use only the first two stanzas at official party programmes was aimed at preventing the song from being “communalised”.His remarks came after Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah stood through the full rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ at the inaugural International Film Festival in Srinagar.The issue has also drawn criticism from the BJP, with Union home minister Amit Shah earlier targeting the Congress over its adherence to the 1937 position and accusing the party of pursuing appeasement politics.