Can’t we invite the Vice-President for Onam just because there are Vande Mataram protocols, asks Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan defended the state's adherence to federal protocols regarding the rendition of 'Vande Mataram' at official events. He dismissed political criticism, stating that the government will continue to invite high-ranking federal officials to state functions.
Why it matters
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between state-level political parties and federal protocol requirements in India.
Dismissing the controversy over the rendition of all the six stanzas of Vande Mataram at recent events, including the Onam Week pageantry flag-off and the Kerala University Sports Day , Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said that the State government is bound to follow Central protocol in events where the President, Vice-President or the Prime Minister are present.
Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday (September 2, 2026), he said that the Congress and the State government had its own stand regarding Vande Mataram , which was evident at the Independence Day celebrations during which only two stanzas were sung.
“Just because such protocols are there, shouldn’t we invite the Vice-President for Onam. Let there be no doubt that the President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister will continue to be invited at the State government’s events,” he said.
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