Omar Abdullah Vande Mataram controversy
A political row (Omar Abdullah Vande Mataram controversy) has erupted over the rendition of the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ at an event in Srinagar, with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hitting back at the Congress over its objection. Mr Abdullah asked whether the Congress wanted Kashmiris to be jailed over the issue.
All six stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ were sung at the inaugural ceremony of Jammu and Kashmir’s first International Film Festival in Srinagar.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah were present at the event and stood during the complete rendition of the song.
The decision subsequently triggered a political controversy, with the Congress objecting to the use of the full version.
Congress MP K C Venugopal cited the party’s 1937 resolution on ‘Vande Mataram’. He said the Congress continues to follow the position that only the first two stanzas should be rendered.
The Congress has argued that the later portions of the song do not fit with the syncretic and pluralistic vision associated with India’s freedom movement.
The party’s position has now brought it into disagreement with its INDIA bloc ally, the National Conference.
Responding to the Congress criticism, Omar Abdullah said the issue was no longer simply about political preference.
According to the J&K Chief Minister, legal provisions require the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ to be rendered at official functions, and these provisions apply across the country.
Mr Abdullah questioned whether the Congress wanted Kashmiris to be sent to jail over the issue if they followed the applicable legal requirements.
He also argued that if the Congress disagreed with the law, it should have opposed it in Parliament.
Omar Abdullah also sought to distinguish between complying with the law and adopting ‘Vande Mataram’ as a party position.
He said the National Conference has never adopted the song as a political party position and would not do so in the future. However, he maintained that the party would comply with applicable laws and official regulations.
His remarks underline the distinction the National Conference is drawing between its political position and its obligations at official government functions.
The controversy has exposed another point of disagreement between the Congress and the National Conference, which are alliance partners in the INDIA bloc.
The Congress wants its 1937 position on the song to be followed, while the National Conference has indicated that being an alliance partner does not mean accepting directives from the Congress on its political position.
The BJP has also attacked the Congress over the controversy.
The dispute has therefore moved beyond the question of how the national song should be performed and has become another flashpoint over political ideology, national symbolism and differences within the opposition alliance.
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