Why Kerala government skipped Vande Mataram on Independence Day despite Congress-led states complying

Kerala's Congress-led United Democratic Alliance (UDF) decided to omit Vande Mataram from the state's official Independence Day ceremony, despite several other parties and states following the central government's directive. This decision came after a central government communication was sent to the state's education and local self-government departments, urging the full version of Vande Mataram to be sung as part of the "Har Ghar Tiranga" campaign.

Opposition parties accused the UDF of aligning with the Sangh Parivar. The state's V D Satheesan government later clarified that its stance would be made clear at the Independence Day celebrations.

Interestingly, Vande Mataram was still sung at the Lok Bhavan and in the BJP-controlled Thiruvananthapuram municipal corporation. However, the political divide became evident during Independence Day celebrations at the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation, where BJP councillors recited the song alongside the ruling CPI(M) singing the national anthem.

Several schools across Kerala announced Vande Mataram in their Independence Day programs, but a circular from the general education department directed all institutions to hoist the flag and sing the national anthem without mentioning Vande Mataram. The situation has been tense for the past two weeks, with speculation about whether the V D Satheesan government would permit the recital of Vande Mataram at the official function.

The BJP attributed the controversy to the UDF being influenced by the Indian Union Muslim League, which holds the education and local self-government ministries. The BJP also pledged to sing Vande Mataram in its entirety at 15,000 locations in Kerala, portraying it as a defense against anti-national elements. The controversy has plagued the Congress government in Kerala since its formation in May, with the song being sung at the Cabinet's swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Minister V D Satheesan defended the decision, citing Lok Bhavan's role in organizing the ceremony, while Lok Bhavan later criticized the omission as a protocol violation.