Kerala CM says UDF unaware full version of Vande Mataram will be sung at swearing-in, ceremony as per Lok Bhavan’s arrangements

Chief Minister VD Satheesan said that the full version of Vande Mataram was sung at the swearing-in ceremony of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government as per the arrangements of Lok Bhavan. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Satheesan said he was not aware of it until it was mentioned on stage.

“Could I go and stop the song midway?” asked Mr. Satheesan.

The recitation of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram at the oath ceremony created controversy with the Communist Party of India (Marxist). [CPI(M)] described it as a move that undermines secularism and pluralism and spokesman for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Organizer I greet you.

The CPI(M) State secretariat said the Congress Working Committee itself had taken the stand that presenting Vande Mataram as a whole comprising six continents was not suitable for a pluralistic society. Portions of the song were cut as part of the working committee’s official decision on October 30, 1937. On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly clarified that only the first eight lines of Vande Mataram should be treated as the national song.

Regarding criticism even from within the Congress over mentioning his caste surname while taking oath of office, Mr. Satheesan said he wanted to mention his father’s name on this important occasion. “I also wanted to mention my mother’s name, but I couldn’t,” he said.

Among his critics was Congress leader Jinto John, who said it would be better if the Congress changed caste names to be more inclusive. An old video of Mr. Satheesan taking oath as MLA without mentioning his caste name is doing the rounds on social media.