No Vande Mataram in Kerala govt’s Independence Day celebrations

INDIA'S national song, Vande Mataram, was absent from the Kerala government’s Independence Day celebrations, attended by Chief Minister V D Satheesan, at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, August 15.

The omission triggered a controversy since the Chief Secretary had issued a directive, calling for it to be sung in its entirety, as part of the Union’s Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.

The omission assumes significance as Satheesan had earlier said that the Kerala government and the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) have a clear position on the issue and that it would be evident during the celebrations.

The Chief Secretary’s direction had triggered a political row after government departments were asked to ensure the rendition of the full version of Vande Mataram. However, an August 11 circular issued by Director of General Education Snehil Kumar Singh to school head teachers and senior education officials, including Deputy Directors of Education and District Education Officers, did not refer to Vande Mataram.

The school-level instructions instead called for the national flag to be hoisted and the National Anthem to be sung as part of the 80th Independence Day celebrations.

The circular also asked schools to organise patriotic song renditions and other programmes, follow the Flag Code of India, 2002, and observe green protocol. 

An earlier August 4 circular issued by the General Administration (Protocol) Department had also not referred to Vande Mataram.

The absence of the national song from the official function comes against the backdrop of Satheesan’s earlier remarks that the Chief Secretary’s directive was linked to the Union government’s Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. He had also said that the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, had become law, while maintaining that the UDF government had a clear position on the matter.

In his Independence Day address, Satheesan did not refer directly to the Vande Mataram controversy but placed his remarks in the broader context of democracy, constitutional rights, secularism and equality.

“Democracy is a continuous process of communication and engagement. Dissent, questioning, open dialogue and correction rejuvenate democracy,” he said.

Warning against an environment in which differences are suppressed, Satheesan said democracy should not become a space where people are expected to share the same beliefs and way of life.

“Let us become guardians and fighters who protect a strong democracy rooted in open-mindedness, tolerance, dialogue, correction and renewal,” he said.

A substantial part of his speech focused on the Constitution and what he described as growing challenges to constitutional principles.

“There is nothing like the Constitution of India. It is the pride, assurance and hope of a people, and a driving force that shapes their future,” Satheesan said.

He said the country was witnessing a period in which values including secularism, equality, freedom of expression and freedom of action, along with protections for minorities and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, were being questioned.

Referring to the recent alleged caste-based humiliation of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Satheesan said it was disturbing that a senior national leader who had held constitutional positions had faced such treatment.

“What message does this send to the country?” he asked, warning that India should not return to a period marked by caste prejudice and untouchability. “We must not return to those dark times. If such attempts are made, it is our duty and responsibility to oppose them tooth and nail,” he said.

Satheesan called for vigilance in protecting constitutional principles, specifically mentioning “secularism, equality, freedom, socialism and democratic rights”. He also appealed for people to stand united in defence of the Constitution and the “unity, integrity and secular character of India”.

He invoked the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and Abul Kalam Azad, saying their ideals and methods had gained greater relevance in contemporary India.

The Chief Minister also spoke about concerns being raised by young people across the country, saying that ignoring them would be an “unforgivable mistake”.

“Our youth are not devoid of political awareness. They see, hear and understand everything. They have the strength to become a force for correction and to lead the country with clarity in the future,” he said.

Satheesan also linked the meaning of Independence to social and economic freedoms, saying political independence alone was not sufficient. He said freedom must extend to liberation from poverty, illiteracy, inequality and social discrimination.

He called for Kerala to overcome caste, religious and gender discrimination as well as political hatred and intolerance. Welfare measures, he said, should be treated as rights rather than charity.

His speech also outlined the government’s priorities, including employment generation, protection of agriculture and other fundamental sectors, addressing climate change, strengthening public education and healthcare, creating opportunities for young people, tackling drug abuse and ensuring peace and security.

“The benefits of development must reach everyone. Development cannot be for a select few,” he said, arguing for people-centred development and a fair distribution of wealth.

Satheesan also paid tribute to those who died in the recent floods in Kerala and assured affected families of government support. He said efforts were underway to establish a scientific system for disaster management and prevention.

He called for collective efforts to build a Kerala that is “modern, prosperous, secure and inclusive”, grounded in democracy, secularism, equality and constitutional values.