Centre cannot insist states sing full Vande Mataram, says MLC

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MLC Ivan D'Souza speaking at a press conference at his office in Mangaluru on September 20. | Photo Credit: M. Raghava

Defending the State Government’s decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram in State government programmes, MLC Ivan D’Souza said on Sunday (September 20, 2026) that the Central Government cannot force the State to sing the full six stanzas of Vande Mataram.

Talking to reporters, Mr. D’Souza accused the Central Government of pushing the BJP’s agenda in framing the law mandating singing the full national song Vande Mataram. “We have a federal structure. The Central Government cannot force States to sing the full Vande Mataram. We have been singing two stanzas of the national song for the last several years, and the State Government has decided to sing only two stanzas. There will be no problem in singing the full national song in Central Government programmes,” he said.

Mr. D’Souza claimed that singing two stanzas of the National Song will not be an offence as per Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026.

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