Debate Over Vande Mataram at Kerala Swearing-In

CPI(M) leader P A Mohamed Riyas raised eyebrows Monday by questioning the singing of Vande Mataram in its entirety at the UDF Cabinet's swearing-in ceremony in Kerala. Officially, only the first two couplets are typically rendered.

In his Facebook post, Riyas, while congratulating new Chief Minister V D Satheesan, claimed that extending the song beyond the first two couplets brings old controversies, sparking sharp responses. BJP MLA V Muraleedharan responded by questioning which part of the song challenged national integrity or secularism.

Echoing concerns from civil rights activists, Riyas argued that mandatory renditions could infringe on constitutional freedoms. He urged the new government to consider public sentiment and uphold secularism and pluralism, hoping his remarks would be assessed on merit.

(With inputs from agencies.)