Congress Walks Out Over Vande Mataram Row at Shivamogga Dasara

A political controversy erupted at the inauguration of Shivamogga Dasara after singers performed the complete Vande Mataram song, prompting Congress leaders to confront a civic official on stage and walk out of the event.

What Triggered the Row

The Dasara inauguration programme was held on Sunday at the Kote Sri Chandika Durgaparameshwari Temple premises in Shivamogga, with senior actor Shrinath flagging off the festivities. The event included arrangements for both the Vande Mataram song and the state anthem.

According to the organisers, the musical arrangement had been set up to cover only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, reportedly in line with a state government directive. However, the singers continued beyond the two stanzas and performed the song in full, creating visible confusion on the stage once the deviation became apparent.

Congress Leaders' Objection

District Congress president H.C. Yogeesh, along with other party leaders, strongly objected to the full rendition, arguing that it violated the government's instructions. The leaders confronted Shivamogga Mahanagara Palike Commissioner Mayannagowda directly on the stage, asserting that it was the responsibility of officials to ensure government directives were followed at official functions.

Following the exchange, Yogeesh and several other Congress functionaries boycotted the remainder of the programme and walked out. Among those present during the walkout were K. Chetan, Chairman of the Textile and Handloom Development Corporation, and C.J. Madhusudan, Chairman of the Shivamogga-Bhadravathi Urban Development Authority, along with other party workers.

Demand for Commissioner's Removal

Speaking to reporters after the incident, Yogeesh accused the Commissioner, who was overseeing the Dasara arrangements, of failing to implement the government circular governing the song's performance. He demanded the Commissioner's immediate dismissal over the lapse.

"We are not opposed to the Dasara festival. But we cannot continue in a programme that does not follow the government's instructions," Congress leaders said.

A Recurring Political Debate

The question of how many stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung at government functions has become a recurring point of political friction in Karnataka in recent times. Shivamogga itself has previously seen similar disagreements over the song's rendition at official events.

The fresh dispute at the Dasara inauguration stage has now drawn renewed attention in local political circles, with the issue likely to remain a talking point as preparations for the festival continue in the district.