Full ‘Vande Mataram’ Recital at Kerala Cabinet Oath Fuels Secularism Debate, BJP-CPI(M) Face Off

Key points

• 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...