Uttarakhand CM Dhami slams Congress over partial rendition of Vande Mataram

Uttarakhand's chief minister, Pushkar Dhami, lodged a sharp criticism against the Indian National Congress for endorsing a partial rendition of the national song Vande Mataram. Dhami asserted that the anthem should be performed in its entirety, as prescribed by law and tradition, and warned that any deviation could set an undesirable precedent.

The Congress party's internal decision, which reportedly permits a truncated version of the song during official functions, sparked a debate within the state about the sanctity of national symbols. While the party has not released a detailed statement, its stance appears to be aimed at accommodating regional sensitivities.

Dhami’s remarks were made in a press briefing in Dehradun, where he urged political parties to respect the full rendition of Vande Mataram and to avoid politicising the anthem. He also called for a broader consensus among stakeholders to preserve the integrity of the national song.

The disagreement highlights ongoing tensions between cultural protocols and political strategies in Uttarakhand, with observers noting that the issue may reverberate beyond the state if other parties adopt similar positions.