Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm cultural welcome in Bratislava, Slovakia, on his first visit as India's PM. The event featured traditional Slovak customs like bread and salt offerings, folk music by the Lucnica Ensemble singing 'Vande Mataram', and a performance by Kopaniciarik.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the mandatory full recitation of Vande Mataram at public events "unnecessary and burdensome," suggesting respect for the national song shouldn't necessitate its complete rendition every time. He noted the ruling BJP's criticism of his stance.
Kerala's new UDF Cabinet oath ceremony sparked a political row after 'Vande Mataram' was recited in full. CPI(M) criticized the move, citing religious references and secularism concerns, while BJP accused CPI(M) of insulting the national song and appeasing vote banks. A similar controversy occurred in Tamil Nadu over song sequencing.
West Bengal CM announces 'Vande Mataram' to be sung in all state schools from Monday; Rathindranath Bose to be new Assembly Speaker.
West Bengal state schools must now sing 'Vande Mataram' daily before classes, sparking confusion among school heads who must also accommodate the National Anthem and potentially the state song 'Banglar mati Banglar jal'.
CPI state secretary M Veerapandiyan has objected to the order of songs played at Tamil Nadu CM Vijay's swearing-in ceremony, where 'Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu' was placed third after 'Vande Mataram' and the national anthem. He stated this violates long-standing convention and demanded a public explanation for the lapse, urging the government to restore the state song's primacy.
CPI state secretary M Veerapandiyan has objected to the order of songs played at Tamil Nadu CM Vijay's swearing-in ceremony, where 'Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu' was placed third after 'Vande Mataram' and the national anthem. He stated this violates long-standing convention and demanded a public explanation for the lapse, urging the government to restore the state song's primacy.
