Srinagar: A major political controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir over the recitation of the full version of the national song, ‘Vande Mataram’, at official government events. The row has exposed ideological fault lines within the INDIA bloc, bringing allies Congress and the National Conference (NC) face-to-face, while drawing sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The controversy was initially sparked by Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, who argued in a social media post on ‘X’ that singing the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ contradicts the inclusive and secular vision of India’s freedom fighters. Backing this stance, J&K Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra expressed concern over alliance partners endorsing the full rendition.
“National symbols command respect when they embrace India’s diversity, not when diversity is asked to assimilate into them. This is not about patriotism; it is about the constitutional ethos with which patriotism must be expressed in a diverse republic,” Karra stated.
However, the National Conference firmly dismissed the Congress’s objections. Defending his party’s position, NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq asserted that while nobody should be forced to sing the song, playing it at official functions is a matter of legal protocol. “Once the Parliament passes a law, it becomes a legal obligation to be followed in all government functions. Therefore, the full version is sung as per the law,” Sadiq said. He also questioned the Congress’s selective outrage, asking why the issue was not raised when Congress chief ministers in other states followed the exact same protocol.
Solidifying their stance, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC President Farooq Abdullah stood in respect for the full six-stanza rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ during the recent oath-taking ceremony of the Chief Justice.
The BJP was quick to capitalize on the alliance’s rift. BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur welcomed the NC leadership’s actions, calling it a “tight slap on the face of their INDIA bloc ally, Congress.” Thakur added, “The NC’s move shows that anti-India policies will not work in J&K, completely contrasting the Congress’s historical discomfort with national symbols and institutions.”
Meanwhile, the PDP offered a constitutionally grounded perspective. PDP chief spokesperson Syed Tajamul Islam cautioned against using the song as a litmus test for national loyalty. “Standing or sitting during ‘Vande Mataram’ does not determine whether one is a patriot or a traitor,” he remarked, emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and conscience, leaving room for personal choice without coercion.