BJP to launch nationwide campaign against UDF govt. in Keralam over Vande Mataram row: M.T. Ramesh
The BJP has announced a nationwide campaign against the Kerala government, alleging it dishonored the national song 'Vande Mataram' during Independence Day celebrations. The party claims the state government succumbed to pressure from religious groups.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing political tensions in India regarding national symbols and the intersection of state governance with religious and nationalist discourse.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will lead a nationwide campaign against the V.D. Satheesan-led government in Keralam, which has taken an “anti-national” stance by repudiating the national song, the State general secretary of BJP, M.T. Ramesh, said on Monday. He alleged that the State government had chosen to dishonour Vande Mataram , succumbing “to the pressure from Indian Union Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami and such religious groups.”
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Ramesh said that the BJP was also contemplating legal measures because the UDF government had negated the national song at the Independence Day celebrations in the State in a clear violation of the legislation passed by the Parliament that the national song must be rendered along with the national anthem (Jana Gana Mana) at all official functions.
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