Priyank Kharge Challenges BJP Leaders to Sing Full Vande Mataram
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge challenged BJP leaders BY Vijayendra and R Ashoka to sing all four stanzas of Vande Mataram from memory.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has challenged BJP state president BY Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka to sing all four stanzas of Vande Mataram from memory, without using paper or a teleprompter. Kharge said he would resign if the two BJP leaders successfully completed the challenge at a public gathering.
The remarks came amid a political dispute over Karnataka’s decision to restrict the singing of Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at most state government programmes. The exemption applies to events attended by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor.
Kharge defended the state government’s decision and said it was consistent with the Congress Working Committee’s 1937 position that only the first two stanzas should be used at national gatherings. Congress has reiterated that position, citing concerns that the later verses contain references to Hindu goddesses that some minority communities may find incompatible with their beliefs.
The BJP has opposed Karnataka’s decision and plans to protest the restriction. Kharge accused the party of focusing on the issue despite other matters facing the state.
He also said he would ask the Assembly Speaker to allow BJP legislators to sing Vande Mataram separately in the Legislative Assembly and repeated his challenge to Vijayendra and Ashoka to perform all four stanzas without assistance.
