Nagpur: A day after only two stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung at the general body meeting of BJP-governed Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Mayor Neeta Thakre directed municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar to inquire into the lapse and fix accountability.Stung by the embarrassment, Thakre on Friday said the civic body traditionally begins its general body meetings with ‘Vande Mataram’. “During Thursday’s meeting at the District Planning Bhavan in Civil Lines, the rendition was incomplete. This was inappropriate,” she wrote in a letter to Itankar.Speaking at an official civic meeting, she said action should be taken against those responsible for the lapse and sought framing of a procedure for rendition of the national anthem and ‘Vande Mataram’ at NMC meetings and ensure no rerun of the lapse.Leader of Opposition Sanjay Mahakalkar criticised the BJP-ruled civic administration, alleging the incomplete rendition amounted to disrespect of the national song. He said the Union home ministry’s directives require ‘Vande Mataram’ to be sung in a disciplined manner and claimed the complete version takes around three minutes and 10 seconds.“When the national anthem and ‘Vande Mataram’ are sung, everyone in the House should remain standing. However, at least three members were seen moving around, which is a sign of disrespect,” Mahakalkar said.He also questioned the BJP leadership over the lapse. “BJP office-bearers in NMC allowed the song to conclude halfway. It appears they are agreeing to the Congress stand,” he said, referring to the ongoing political controversy over senior members of the grand old party singing only two stanzas.The issue gained political significance after BJP at the Centre criticised Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge over the reported two-stanza rendition at the Congress national executive meeting.Thakre’s directive now puts the civic administration under scrutiny on whether the lapse was caused by a procedural omission or failure of officials who conducted House proceedings.Standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare said she issued instructions to NMC secretary Ranjana Lade to fix responsibility. Citing Lade’s statement, she said NMC’s sports dept was responsible for playing the full song. “I have sought disciplinary action after a showcause notice,” she said.
