Kerala minister defends sitting during Vande Mataram

Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan defended sitting down before Vande Mataram ended at a government function in Kasaragod, saying the state government’s practice was to sing only the first two stanzas. The local BJP filed a police complaint against him and three other officials, alleging disrespect to the national song and seeking action.

The incident occurred Monday, November 9, during the inauguration of a laboratory at the Mulleria Family Health Centre. Broadcast visuals showed Muraleedharan, Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan, MLA Kallatra Mahin and district collector Sreedhanya Suresh seated before the song ended. BJP panchayat members continued singing, while MLA K. Neelakandan and District Congress Committee president P. K. Faisal remained standing through the full rendition.

Muraleedharan said Tuesday that he had indicated opposition to what he described as an attempt to hijack a state government function. He said he would follow the protocol for central government events and the policies of local bodies at their own programmes, but that the state government included only the first two stanzas in its functions. He also said a prayer had been scheduled instead of Vande...