Thiruvananthapuram: The chief secretary has issued an official letter to all state govt departments mandating that Vande Mataram be sung in its entirety during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. The order comes in accordance with special directives from the Union ministry of culture.The directive specifies that the national song must be sung fully at all public functions organised under the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, which runs from Aug 9 to 17.The communication further cautioned against any disrespect to Vande Mataram, pointing out that such acts were punishable, and emphasised that the order must be implemented with full legal seriousness. Previously, it was common practice at many events to sing only an abbreviated portion of the song.The campaign will include physical events featuring collective singing of Vande Mataram along with the hoisting or display of the national flag. Citizens can also participate digitally through the Har Ghar Tiranga portal by uploading a selfie with the tricolour flag.The local self-govt department (LSGD) and the general education department have been designated as the nodal departments for implementing the campaign in Kerala. The LSGD principal director and general education director will serve as state nodal officers, with assistant nodal officers to be designated at the district level if required.Withdraw order: OppnThe leader of opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan, demanded the withdrawal of the chief secretary’s order, alleging that the state govt was surrendering to the RSS agenda.“When we decided to be a secular nation, the Constituent Assembly itself decided that a song that doesn’t align with secularism should not be recited in that manner,” he said. He said there was nothing wrong with singing its initial stanzas.Vijayan said the policy changed after the present govt came to power and pointed to the full rendition of the song during the Cabinet swearing-in ceremony.CPM senior functionary P Rajeeve alleged that the state govt had been waiting for a communication from the Centre before taking the decision.“If the govt is to function as directed by the central govt, then the chief secretary is enough. Is there any need for the CM and ministers to sit in those chairs?” Rajeeve asked in a social media post.
