Karnataka Legislators Defy Order Restricting Vande Mataram Length

Legislators from the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) disrupted a special legislative session in Bengaluru on September 21, 2026, by reciting the full six-stanza version of the national song, Vande Mataram. The protest followed an official recording that stopped after two stanzas, adhering to a September 8 government order that restricts the song's length for routine programs unless attended by high-ranking federal officials.

Opposition members shouted slogans and protested from the well of the House, accusing the Congress-led government of disrespecting freedom fighters. BJP leaders argued the restriction violates Union Home Ministry of India guidelines, which mandate the full six-stanza version. The chaos briefly adjourned proceedings intended to discuss the state's severe drought and the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats.

Following the unrest, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot advised the state government to reconsider the order, stating it violates the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, and exceeds state legislative competence. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court deferred a Public Interest Litigation challenging the order until October 15. While the state's Advocate General argued that singing the national song is not mandatory, the Union government's representative asserted that the official version is required for compliance.