The political debate over Vande Mataram has moved from rhetoric to official protocol in Karnataka, with the Congress-led state government directing authorities to limit the rendition of the national song to its first two stanzas at regular state government programmes.

The order, however, draws a distinction for high-profile and centrally represented occasions. It states that all six verses of Vande Mataram will be sung at programmes attended by the President, Prime Minister or Governor, as well as at events represented by the Central government.

The decision comes against the backdrop of a wider political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP over the national song and its rendition at official functions.

Karnataka sets separate protocol for state events

Under the Karnataka government's instructions, the opening two stanzas will be the prescribed rendition for other official programmes organised by the state government.

The move effectively creates two categories of official events. Routine state government functions will feature the first two stanzas, while occasions involving the country's top constitutional dignitaries or representation from the Centre will have the complete six-verse version.

The distinction assumes significance as the Centre has issued a separate directive making the singing of all six verses of Vande Mataram mandatory at official programmes.

The Karnataka order therefore comes at a politically sensitive moment, with the two levels of government setting out different requirements for the rendition of the national song at official events.

Centre's directive adds to political friction

The controversy surrounding Vande Mataram has increasingly become a point of political contention between the Congress and BJP, with questions over how much of the song should be performed at government functions becoming part of the broader dispute.

Against this backdrop, Karnataka's decision to prescribe only the first two stanzas for its regular state programmes marks a clear departure from the Centre's six-verse requirement.

At the same time, the state has retained the complete rendition for programmes involving the President, Prime Minister or Governor, along with events where the Central government is represented.

For other state-run official functions, authorities have been instructed to confine the rendition to the song's opening two stanzas.

The order thus places Karnataka's protocol for most state government programmes at the centre of the ongoing Vande Mataram debate, while maintaining a separate arrangement for events involving senior constitutional authorities and the Union government.