New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has hit back at ally Congress over its objection to the full rendition of Vande Mataram, asking whether the party wants people in Kashmir to face legal action for following government protocol.
The dispute follows the playing of the complete national song at the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival in Srinagar. Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah stood during the full rendition, including all six stanzas.
The Congress had urged its alliance partner to follow the party’s 1937 position, under which only two stanzas of Vande Mataram are used at Congress events. Congress MP KC Venugopal had argued that the complete version did not fit with the pluralistic and inclusive vision associated with India’s freedom movement.
Responding to the criticism, Omar Abdullah said the issue was not about the National Conference adopting Vande Mataram as a party position but about following what he described as the applicable legal requirements for official functions.
He maintained that the complete song is required under the protocol applicable to government events across India and warned that failing to follow the prescribed rules could invite action.
Abdullah also said both Vande Mataram and the national anthem would be performed at the closing ceremony of the film festival.
The National Conference has made it clear that Congress cannot dictate its position on the national song, highlighting differences between the two alliance partners.
The Congress Working Committee had recently reaffirmed its 1937 resolution to use only two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party programmes. The decision followed criticism from the BJP, which accused Congress of disrespecting the national song.
The controversy has now exposed another point of disagreement within the INDIA alliance, with the National Conference maintaining its position while Congress continues to defend its established party protocol.
