Kerala University sings Vande Mataram twice at Sports Day event with Governor present
Kerala University's Sports Day event featured Vande Mataram sung in full twice, with the Governor and ministers on stage, following a request from the Governor's office.
The National Sports Day celebrations organised by Kerala University on Tuesday featured the full rendition of Vande Mataram twice — once at the start of the ceremony and again at its conclusion. The national anthem was also sung after the song.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Higher Education Minister Roji M. John, Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh, and Kerala University Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) Mohanan Kunnummal were present on the stage during the event.
University officials said the song was included in the programme following a specific instruction from the Governor's office, given his participation in the function.
When asked about the decision, Sports Minister Janeesh said he understood that a protocol existed when the Governor attended an official function. He indicated the inclusion of Vande Mataram was linked to that protocol, while noting he did not have complete clarity on the circumstances.
The development follows a similar controversy during the concluding ceremony of the Onam Week celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram, where Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan was present and Vande Mataram was sung in full. Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh had then explained that the Vice-President's participation in an official ceremony entailed a specific protocol.
The CPI(M) has criticised the government over the matter. Party State secretary M.V. Govindan claimed that Vande Mataram, when rendered in full, was a 'Hindu song' and could not be considered a secular composition. He also alleged a "deal" between Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Senior CPI(M) leader and former Minister V. Sivankutty also questioned the government's approach, alleging that the move reflected a political accommodation with the BJP.