‘Vande Mataram’ row sparks political storm after Kerala Governor’s policy address
A political controversy has erupted in Kerala over the decision of the police band to skip playing 'Vande Mataram' in full during the opening session of the Assembly. Governor Rajendra Arlekar criticized the government's directive to limit the performance to only the secular stanzas of the song. The dispute highlights tensions between the Congress-led government and the Central government regarding the interpretation and performance of national symbols.
- ▪The Kerala Police band did not play 'Vande Mataram' in its entirety at the Assembly session.
- ▪Governor Rajendra Arlekar expressed strong disapproval of the government's decision to restrict the song's performance.
- ▪BJP leader V. Muraleedharan accused the government of insulting the national song and yielding to pressure from certain groups.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
The Kerala Police band skipped playing ‘Vande Mataram’ in its entirety at the opening session of the 16th Kerala Assembly on Friday (May 29, 2026), laying the groundwork for a dispute between the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government and the Lok Bhavan. Returning to the Lok Bhavan after his policy address, Governor Rajendra Arlekar took strong exception to the government’s decision to restrict the law enforcement’s brass band from rendering the song from beginning to end.Kerala Assembly session highlights: Governor delivers policy address, proposes White Paper on State’s financesHe told reporters that the Lok Bhavan had insisted that the song be “sung and not played” in full. Mr Arlekar said his office had broached the matter with Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
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