Shivamogga (Karnataka), Sep 19 (PTI) Days after walking out of a government event over the rendition of only two stanzas of Vande Mataram, BJP MLA S N Channabasappa on Saturday again expressed his displeasure over the issue at an event here in the presence of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
The incident occurred during an interaction on the Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats eco-sensitive zones in Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district.
Soon after two stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung, followed by the state anthem, Channabasappa, who was on the stage, went up to the microphone and requested the CM that the full Vande Mataram be sung.
“I’m standing here to make a request to the CM. He is doing a lot of good work, but when an attempt is made by the government to hurt our sentiments, it has pained us,” he said.
“Your decision to have only two stanzas of Vande Mataram recited is having an impact on the people of the state. My only request is that the full Vande Mataram be recited. I have no other request. Please give an opportunity for the full Vande Mataram to be recited,” the BJP MLA said.
As Channabasappa was speaking, some people objected by raising their voices, while a few people on the stage walked up to him, surrounded him and asked him to return to his seat, expressing their strong disapproval.
The MLA then walked up to Shivakumar and tried to have a brief conversation with him. The CM, in turn, was seen patting him.
Channabasappa, however, subsequently participated in the event.
On September 16, the BJP MLA had walked out of a government programme here on the occasion of International Democracy Day, protesting against the rendition of only two stanzas of Vande Mataram instead of the full national song.
Channabasappa was presiding over the function, which was organised at the Dr B R Ambedkar Bhavan in Shivamogga.
The Congress government in Karnataka recently ordered that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung at its programmes, except those attended by the president, vice-president, prime minister or governor.
In January, the Union Home Ministry directed that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung before the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, when both are played together. The directive was issued as the Centre marked the 150th year of Vande Mataram.
The Congress Working Committee decided on August 19 to abide by its 1937 resolution on Vande Mataram, under which only two stanzas of the National Song would be sung at party events. PTI AMP SSK
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