Vande Mataram row: Kerala CM defends protocol at functions attended by Vice-President
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday said the state government would follow the prescribed Central protocol when the President, Vice-President or Prime Minister attends a government function, while reiterating the Congress's position on the rendition of Vande Mataram.
His remarks came amid a controversy over the full version of the national song being recited at a state government function attended by Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
‘State cannot reject Central protocol’
Responding to questions about the controversy surrounding the valedictory function of Kerala's week-long Onam celebrations, Satheesan said the state government was required to follow the protocol applicable when constitutional authorities attend government programmes.
“When the President, Vice-President or Prime Minister attends a programme, the protocol is decided by the Centre. The state government does not have the authority to reject that protocol,” he said.
Satheesan also defended the decision to invite the Vice-President to the state government function.
“There is nothing wrong in inviting the Vice-President. We will invite the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister of India to state government programmes. There is no doubt about that,” he said.
Congress maintains position on Vande Mataram
At the same time, Satheesan reiterated the Congress's position that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung at party programmes and events organised by the party.
He said this position would not affect state government programmes attended by the President, Vice-President or Prime Minister, where the prescribed Central protocol would apply.
Satheesan also clarified that Vande Mataram had not been rendered at any state government programme on August 15.
He added that programmes attended by constitutional authorities were being conducted across the country in accordance with the prescribed protocol.
Also read | BJP Kerala chief accuses State Govt of ‘deliberately’ omitting Vande Mataram at I-Day events
CPM protests full rendition
The Chief Minister's comments came amid strong protests by the opposition CPM against the Congress-led UDF government over the rendition of the full version of Vande Mataram.
The CPM has accused the UDF government of yielding to what it described as the RSS agenda.
The controversy also reached Kerala University, where the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the CPM's student wing, organised a protest march on Tuesday against the full rendition of Vande Mataram during National Sports Day celebrations.
Also read | Vande Mataram row: BJP announces nationwide campaign against Congress' two-stanza stand
Water cannon, lathi charge during protest
Police used water cannons and resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the protesters during the march. A few students were injured in the incident.
The police action drew strong criticism from senior CPM leaders, adding another layer to the ongoing political dispute over the rendition of the national song and the protocol followed at government functions attended by constitutional authorities
(With PTI inputs)