States » SouthPosted at: Sep 21 2026 3:05PM


Karnataka Assembly opens amid Vande Mataram row, BJP sings full version

Bengaluru, Sept 21 (UNI) The Karnataka Legislature's three-day special sitting opened on a contentious note on Monday, with BJP members singing the full version of Vande Mataram in the Assembly and Legislative Council after the official rendition ended with two stanzas, followed by a sharp confrontation over the status and conduct of the sitting.
The session, convened primarily to discuss the Kasturirangan Committee recommendations on declaring parts of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and the drought situation in the State, witnessed heated exchanges between the ruling Congress and Opposition BJP from the opening moments.
The Vande Mataram controversy came first. After two stanzas of the song were sung at the start of the proceedings, BJP legislators rose and recited the remaining portions of the full song, followed by slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".
The BJP had opposed the government's decision to restrict the rendition to two stanzas and had indicated ahead of the sitting that its members would sing the complete version.
The controversy was also witnessed in the Legislative Council, where BJP members continued with the remaining stanzas while the Chair proceeded with the Preamble to the Constitution.
The issue stems from a State government order under which only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram are to be sung at government programmes, with exceptions for events attended by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor.
The opening dispute was followed by another confrontation over whether the sitting should technically be called a "special session" or treated as a continuation of the earlier session.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka sought permission to raise a point of order and questioned the manner in which the proceedings were being conducted. BJP members insisted that the Speaker should take decisions on House procedure and that the Opposition should be given adequate opportunity to raise its objections.
Former Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan and BJP member Sunil Kumar objected to what they described as unilateral handling of the proceedings.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byre Gowda subsequently clarified that the government intended to hold a special discussion on the Kasturirangan report and drought, rather than technically convene a separate session.
Acknowledging that the terminology used was an error, Gowda said, "Take it as a special discussion, not a special session. It was my own mistake. There is no prestige here."
He appealed to the Opposition to set aside the procedural dispute and allow the substantive discussion to begin.
The Opposition eventually agreed to allow the proceedings to continue.
The Kasturirangan issue is expected to dominate the sitting as Karnataka prepares its response to the Centre's latest proposal to notify parts of the Western Ghats as ESA.
The latest draft proposes ESA status over about 20,668 sq km covering 1,576 villages in 33 taluks across 10 districts of Karnataka. The State government has been consulting farmers, residents and other stakeholders before finalising its position.
The government has maintained that the interests and livelihoods of people living in the proposed ESA areas must be protected and that local concerns will be considered before Karnataka finalises its response.
The drought situation is the other major issue before the Legislature. The debate is expected to cover crop losses, drinking water shortages, livestock distress, relief measures and financial assistance sought from the Centre.
The government has also been facing pressure from the Opposition over the extent of drought and the adequacy of relief measures, setting the stage for another round of exchanges during the sitting.
The three-day proceedings come against the backdrop of the earlier monsoon session, which was marked by repeated disruptions over various political and administrative issues.
With the Kasturirangan deadline approaching and drought affecting large parts of the State, the Legislature is expected to witness intense debate over Karnataka's stand on environmental protection, livelihoods and relief measures.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Karnataka Assembly opens amid Vande Mataram row# BJP sings full version
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