Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar to limit Vande Mataram singing to two stanzas

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has announced that only the first two stanzas of the national song, Vande Mataram, will be sung at government functions in the state. This decision aligns with a recent directive from the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to limit the song to its initial two verses during party and public events.

Shivakumar stated that he stands by the party's ideology and confirmed that the state government will adhere to this policy in future official programs. He noted that while the full song may have been performed at recent Independence Day events without his knowledge, the government will ensure only the two stanzas are used moving forward.

The move has sparked significant political debate. The BJP has criticized the decision, accusing the Congress of attempting to appease specific groups and disrespecting the national song. Conversely, some analysts suggest the decision aligns with the historical preferences of freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, while others warn of potential political backlash among Hindu voters.