Vande Mataram row: Govt rejects Lok Bhavan directive at Governor’s policy address

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government on Friday rejected the Lok Bhavan’s directive to play the full version of Vande Mataram ahead of the Governor’s policy address in the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly. During the ceremony, the police band played only the first six lines of the song, and only the tune was rendered without the lyrics. According to reports, the song was shortened following Chief Minister V D Satheesan’s instruction that the full version of Vande Mataram need not be included in the ceremony.

The Lok Bhavan had reportedly issued the directive after reviewing the rehearsal on Thursday and instructed officials to play the complete version of the song. The music was played while Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was being received at the Assembly. Sources said the Lok Bhavan is strongly dissatisfied with the state government’s decision to shorten the song despite clear instructions to play it in full.