Full ‘Vande Mataram’ Recital at Kerala Cabinet Oath Fuels Secularism Debate, BJP-CPI(M) Face Off
Full ‘Vande Mataram’ Recital at Kerala Cabinet Oath Fuels Secularism Debate, BJP-CPI(M) Face Off Published By, Last Updated: May 20, 2026, 10:49 IST The full
Full ‘Vande Mataram’ Recital at Kerala Cabinet Oath Fuels Secularism Debate, BJP-CPI(M) Face Off Published By, Last Updated: May 20, 2026, 10:49 IST The full rendition of Vande Mataram at Kerala’s new UDF government swearing-in ceremony has sparked a political controversy, with the CPI(M) and the BJP locking horns over it. VD Satheesan takes oath as Chief Minister of Kerala (Photo: PTI) A controversy erupted in Kerala after the full rendition of Vande Mataram was played during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government, triggering sharp reactions from the CPI(M) and the BJP. The dispute has now escalated into a broader political fight over secularism, constitutional traditions and what constitutes the officially accepted version of the national song. The row began a day after the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister VD Satheesan and his Cabinet in Thiruvananthapuram. The CPI(M) criticised the use of the complete version of Vande Mataram at the official event, calling it an “incorrect step" and arguing that only the approved portions of the song should be used in state functions. CPI(M) QUESTIONS FULL RENDITION The CPI(M) state secretariat said the Congress Working Committee had itself taken a position as early as 1937 that singing all portions of Vande Mataram was not suitable in a pluralistic society. According to the party, certain portions were subsequently omitted because they reflected specific religious beliefs.
The Left party further pointed out that the Constituent Assembly clarified in 1950 that only the first eight lines of the approved version should be treated as the national song. It argued that including omitted portions during an official Cabinet ceremony went against India’s secular and plural traditions. The CPI(M) also said such a full rendition was unusual even in BJP-ruled states and claimed that governments should avoid actions that could “weaken a pluralistic society" or “undermine secularism." Soon after the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, senior CPI(M) leader PA Mohamed Riyas publicly raised concerns over the issue in a Facebook post. While congratulating Satheesan and extending support to the new government, Riyas questioned why the full version had been played when officially only the first two couplets are generally rendered. Riyas said portions beyond the first two couplets had historically remained controversial and that attempts to make the song mandatory had often triggered debate around constitutional freedoms and secularism. He also referred to recent Supreme Court observations, claiming that the Centre’s direction on singing Vande Mataram was advisory and not mandatory. The CPI(M) leader added that corrections made to other aspects of the swearing-in ceremony based on Lok Bhavan suggestions should also have been applied in this case. He urged the government to adopt positions aligned with secularism and public sentiment. BJP HITS BACK, ACCUSES LEFT OF ‘APPEASEMENT’ The BJP reacted strongly to the CPI(M)’s objections and accused the Left party of insulting the national song for political reasons.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the CPI(M) was trying to “hide the embarrassment" of being rejected by voters and accused it of distancing itself from Indian traditions and culture. In a sharp attack, he described Marxism as an “imported ideology" that could not align with Indian values. Chandrasekhar also alleged that the Left was engaging in “dangerous appeasement politics" to satisfy “vote-bank forces" such as Jamaat-e-Islami and SDPI. He said, “Insulting the nation for mere political survival can never be called secularism," and asserted that the BJP-led NDA would oppose any attempt to divide society. BJP MLA V Muraleedharan also targeted the CPI(M) leadership after Riyas’ remarks. Questioning the objections to the song, Muraleedharan asked whether any part of Vande Mataram was “seditious" or against national integrity. He also sought clarification from CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan on whether the criticism reflected the party’s official stand. GOVERNMENT DISTANCES ITSELF FROM ROW Amid the controversy, sources in the new Kerala government reportedly distanced themselves from the issue and said the Cabinet had no role in organising the programme. Reports suggested that the event was fully organised by Lok Bhavan. The swearing-in ceremony itself marked the return of the Congress-led UDF to power in Kerala after a decade. Twenty ministers took oath along with Chief Minister VD Satheesan at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy.
The ceremony concluded with the playing of Vande Mataram followed by the national anthem. The event was attended by several senior Congress leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal, along with chief ministers from Congress-ruled states. DEBATE EXTENDS BEYOND KERALA The controversy also revived earlier debates around the position of Vande Mataram in official functions. CPI state secretary M Veerapandian had recently raised a similar issue in Tamil Nadu over the order in which songs were played during Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony. He had argued that Vande Mataram, being a song dedicated to a deity, could not be treated as the national anthem. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 20, 2026, 10:49 IST News india Full ‘Vande Mataram’ Recital at Kerala Cabinet Oath Fuels Secularism Debate, BJP-CPI(M) Face Off Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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