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Politics

Kozhikode Corporation Anthem Row: Police Record UDF Opposition Leader’s Statement

Police investigating the incident involving councillors singing the national anthem and the national song simultaneously at the Kozhikode Corporation recorded the statement of Leader of the Opposition in the council, S.V. Mohammed Shameel Thangal, on Monday, August 17.

What Happened

The controversy stems from the Independence Day flag-hoisting event held outside the Kozhikode Corporation office around 9:30 a.m. on August 15. Mayor O. Sadasivan hoisted the national flag and delivered his Independence Day speech before announcing the national anthem.

As Mayor Sadasivan and councillors from the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) alongside the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) began singing Jana Gana Mana, councillors representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) started singing the full version of Vande Mataram. Despite the overlapping singing causing confusion, both groups carried on. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor S. Jayasree, and other councillors left the venue after finishing Jana Gana Mana, while the BJP members continued to sing Vande Mataram.

Key Highlights

  • UDF council opposition leader S.V. Mohammed Shameel Thangal gave his official statement to the police on Monday, August 17.
  • Kozhikode Town police previously recorded the statement of BJP councillor Navya Haridas on Sunday, August 16.
  • Complaints have been lodged with District Police Chief (Kozhikode City) A.P. Shoukathali by Thangal, LDF council party leader K. Rajeev, and Navya Haridas.
  • Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kozhikode Town Sub-Division) T.K. Asharaf is leading the inquiry into the complaints.
  • Police stated that a First Information Report (FIR) has not yet been registered in connection with the incident.
  • The LDF and UDF allege that BJP councillors insulted the national anthem by singing the national song at the same time.
  • The BJP alleges that the national anthem was sung improperly while Vande Mataram was underway and that civic leaders walked away afterwards.

Why This Matters

The simultaneous singing has resulted in counter-allegations among the elected council members of the civic body. The ruling LDF and opposition UDF have accused the BJP of disrespecting the national anthem, whereas the BJP has countered that the national anthem was rendered improperly during their singing of the national song.

What to Watch Next

Assistant Commissioner of Police T.K. Asharaf continues to look into the complaints submitted by the council leaders. The police department will decide whether to register an FIR after reviewing the statements and evidence collected during the preliminary inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has an FIR been filed in the Kozhikode Corporation incident?

According to the police, no FIR had been registered in the matter as of Monday, August 17.

Who is investigating the complaints?

District Police Chief A.P. Shoukathali assigned the investigation to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kozhikode Town Sub-Division) T.K. Asharaf.

Whose statements have been recorded so far?

The police recorded the statement of BJP councillor Navya Haridas on August 16 and UDF council opposition leader S.V. Mohammed Shameel Thangal on August 17.

Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.