Last Updated:
Objecting to the national song not being played in full, BJP legislators began raising slogans and proceeded to sing the remaining stanzas themselves.
The Karnataka government has convened a three-day special session of the legislature to discuss the severe drought situation in the state and the implications of the Dr Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats. (Photo: PTI file)
Only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram were being played officially as proceedings in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council began on Monday, following which BJP members sang the complete version of the national song.
The Karnataka government has convened a three-day special session of the legislature to discuss the severe drought situation in the state and the implications of the Dr Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats.
The Assembly proceedings began with Vande Mataram, but the audio stopped after two stanzas. Soon after, Assembly Speaker G S Patil allowed the House to take up condolence references for prominent personalities who had passed away. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar paid tribute to former MLA R B Shiriyannavar, who died on August 27.
Objecting to the national song not being played in full, BJP legislators began raising slogans and proceeded to sing the remaining stanzas themselves.
On the Vande Mataram row, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said, “I challenge them (the BJP): let them sing the entire Vande Mataram without a piece of paper, without a mobile, or without a teleprompter. Were they able to sing that? Today they were fumbling despite having the printed sheet with them… And they need to study history better… Karnataka was ruled by the BJP earlier also. Why didn’t the state BJP, right to the central BJP, say that no, we wanted the national anthem to be sung in all stanzas?… Neither the Union Home Minister Amit Shah nor PM Modi can sing four stanzas properly…”
A similar scene unfolded in the Legislative Council. Chairman Saleem Ahmed began reading the Preamble to the Constitution as per convention, while BJP members continued singing the remaining stanzas of Vande Mataram.
The BJP members later raised slogans against the Congress-led state government over the decision not to play the complete version of Vande Mataram.
According to an order issued by the Karnataka government, only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram are to be sung or played at government programmes, except events attended by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor.
The decision has become a point of contention between the ruling Congress and the BJP, with the latter objecting to the shortened rendition of the national song in the legislature.
Quick Answers
Ask News18BJP legislators sang the complete national song after the official audio stopped following the first two stanzas in accordance with a state government order.
Ask News18About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Deputy News Editor at News18.com, specialising in Indian politics and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking election strategies, he decodes domestic issues for mil…Read More
September 21, 2026, 17:13 IST
Read More
