Amid the controversy over the issuance of the detailed guidelines on the rendition of the national song and amendments to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act to extend statutory protection to Vande Mataram, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala on Saturday skipped the song during the Independence Day function.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan hoisted the national flag at the State-level Independence Day function at Central Stadium, and the ceremony was followed by the national anthem Jana Gana Mana. There was no rendition of Vande Mataram at the official State ceremony.

The circular issued by the State government a day ago regarding the conduct of the Independence Day celebrations had only mentioned the recital of the national anthem during the function. However, a circular issued by the Centre was earlier forwarded by Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha to all State government institutions regarding the Independence Day observance. The circular had mentioned that the full version of Vande Mataram should be sung as part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.

Meanwhile, Vande Mataram was sung in full at the Independence Day celebrations organised at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The national anthem was sung after Mayor V.V. Rajesh hoisted the national flag. Opposition councillors were not present at the event.

Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan hoisted the national flag at the Kerala Legislative Assembly to mark the 80th Independence Day celebrations on Saturday.

Mr. Radhakrishnan also paid tributes at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar and K.R. Narayanan on the Assembly campus. Deputy Speaker Shanimol Osman and Assembly secretary (in-charge) Shaji C. Baby were among those present.

State Election Commissioner N. Seshadrinathan hoisted the national flag at the celebrations held at the State Election Commission (SEC). Mr. Seshadrinathan called for a concerted effort to keep the younger generation away from narcotics. He also urged government employees to keep the public space free of corruption. SEC secretary E.P. Sajeev and other staff were present.

At the Sainik School, Kazhakuttam, Principal Colonel Abhishek Vohra hoisted the national flag and received the salute of the cadet contingents. As part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, the cadets spread awareness about the significance of the national flag and the ideals embodied by the tricolour. They visited the staff quarters and handed over the national flag to staff members.