Full version of Vande Mataram sung at VTU convocation

The complete rendition of the national song Vande Mataram took place during the 26th annual convocation of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) in Belagavi. Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi, and other distinguished guests were present at the Jnana Sangama campus.

The decision to perform the entire six stanzas of the song deviated from the Karnataka government's directive, which allowed only the first two stanzas at state events. The state government had issued an order on September 8, prompting Governor Gehlot to communicate with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on September 21, urging reconsideration of the restriction.

He argued that the government's action contradicted Union government guidelines and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026. Governor Gehlot emphasized that a reconsideration of the decision would help avoid conflicts between the state's administrative instructions and the protocol set by the Union government, as well as prevent potential constitutional litigation over executive powers.