{
  "id": 3071817,
  "title": "Jana Gana Mana at start of session, full Vande Mataram at end, rules Himachal Speaker",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/jana-gana-mana-at-start-of-session-full-vande-mataram-at-end-rules",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T17:03:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/himachal-assembly-speaker-kuldeep-pathania-ruling-vande-mataram-national-anthem-bjp-walkout-10847853/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Himachal Pradesh Assembly witnessed heated exchanges and a walkout by BJP MLAs on Monday as the ongoing dispute over the National Anthem and National Song reached a resolution. Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania affirmed that the House proceedings would begin with Jana Gana Mana and conclude with Vande Mataram, the full version of the latter encompassing all six stanzas. Pathania affirmed the established practice of the House, emphasizing that the singing of the national song is not a party-specific affair but a unifying act for all. The Speaker clarified that the provisions of the National Anthem and National Song are in the Constitution, with the latter added in 1950. Previously, there was no provision for punishment for disrespecting these symbols; however, the 2026 amendment introduced imprisonment and fines for such violations. Pathania noted that a July 9 circular from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which provided guidelines on the singing and playing of these anthems, did not alter the Assembly's established procedures. The Opposition demanded an immediate release of the video recording from August 21, when the controversy first surfaced, alleging that some BJP members disrespected the National Anthem while requesting Vande Mataram to be sung thereafter. The BJP denied these allegations, asserting that its members behaved respectfully during the National Anthem. Despite the Opposition's dissatisfaction, BJP members raised slogans and walked out during Question Hour, before returning shortly thereafter. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan dismissed the Opposition's walkout as an attempt to exploit the issue, emphasizing that Pathania had already clarified the House's procedure. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri stated that the recent amendment merely required attentive behavior during the National Song, and that the Speaker's decision in the Assembly was final, with no convention for playing video recordings. The controversy arose just before the House resumed at 2 pm, with Opposition members, led by Jai Ram Thakur, staging a protest inside the premises, holding suitcases on their heads and raising slogans against the government.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}