A major political controversy has erupted in Keralam after the full rendition of Vande Mataram was played during the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister VD Satheeshan and his council of ministers
The swearing-in ceremony of Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheeshan and his newly inducted council of ministers has snowballed into a major political controversy following objections raised by the CPI (M) over the full rendition of Vande Mataram during the official event.
The swearing-in ceremony of Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheeshan and his newly inducted council of ministers has snowballed into a major political controversy following objections raised by the CPM over the full rendition of Vande Mataram during the official event.
The issue was first raised by senior CPI (M) leader and former minister PA Mohammed Riyaz, who criticised the playing of the complete version of the national song during the ceremony. CPI (M) leaders later echoed the same position, arguing that rendering the entire six-stanza composition at a state function was “inappropriate in a pluralistic society.”
The remarks immediately triggered a political storm in the state, with the BJP accusing the Left parties of insulting the national song for the sake of vote-bank politics.
As criticism mounted, Chief Minister VD. Satheeshan sought to distance himself from the controversy. Responding to media queries, Satheeshan reportedly stated that the decision regarding the rendition of Vande Mataram had been taken by Raj Bhavan officials and that he was unaware the complete version of the song would be played until the ceremony was underway.
The clarification, however, has only intensified political attacks from the BJP and rival political commentators, who accused the new UDF government of attempting damage control after facing pressure from radical Islamist groups and sections of minority organisations.
Adding to the controversy, a widely circulated video from the ceremony showed Satheeshan remaining seated during the beginning of Vande Mataram before standing up after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reportedly gestured to him. BJP leaders claimed the visuals reflected a lack of seriousness toward the national song.
Senior BJP leader and MLA-designate VM Muraleedharan launched a sharp attack on both the CPI (M) and the Congress-led UDF government, calling the criticism of Vande Mataram “an insult to the national song.”
According to Muraleedharan, the controversy was part of an effort to appease “radical vote-bank forces” such as the SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami. He alleged that both the CPI (M) and Congress were competing for minority appeasement in Keralam’s changing political landscape.
The controversy deepened further after leaders from the CPI (M) also criticised the mandatory playing of the complete version of Vande Mataram at official events.
The debate has gained additional significance because the Union Home Ministry had issued fresh protocol guidelines earlier this year regarding the national song.
On January 28, 2026, the Home Ministry mandated the full six-stanza rendition of Vande Mataram at official state ceremonies, public functions, school assemblies, and events attended by constitutional authorities. As per the guidelines, the complete rendition, lasting approximately 3 minutes and 10 seconds, must be played before the National Anthem whenever both are scheduled together.
The protocol also directs attendees to stand in attention throughout the song in the same manner as during the National Anthem.
The mandate applies to civil investiture ceremonies, award functions, events attended by the President and Governors, official parades involving the National Flag, state-sponsored functions, and educational institutions.
The latest row has once again placed Keralam politics at the centre of a wider national debate involving nationalism, secularism, and the role of national symbols in public life. With the BJP aggressively targeting the CPM and Congress over the issue, the Vande Mataram controversy is expected to remain a major political flashpoint in the coming days.
