Vande Mataram presented at Dasara inauguration in Shivamogga violating State govt. order, Congress leaders walk out

The rendition of the full Vande Mataram at the inauguration of Shivamogga Dasara on Sunday drew criticism from Congress leaders, who walked out of the programme.

The singers invited to present the invocation sang the entire national song, although the State government has restricted it to the first two stanzas at its programmes. The song was followed by the State anthem.

H.C. Yogesh, president of the District Congress Committee, objected, stating that the programme was part of the State government’s events and that, as per the government’s instructions, the song should have been limited to two stanzas. Mr. Yogesh conveyed his best wishes for the event and left the programme. K. Chetan, chairman of the Karnataka State Textile Infrastructure Development Corporation, and other Congress leaders also left the stage.

The issue has been a flashpoint in Shivamogga in recent weeks. Mr. Channabasappa, a BJP legislator, walked out of a district administration programme at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan on September 15, marking the International Day of Democracy, after only the first two stanzas were sung. On September 19, in the presence of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, he went up to the microphone and requested that the full song be sung at a meeting on the Kasturirangan report at Thirthahalli.