The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) administration has found itself in an awkward spot after only two stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung before Thursday’s general body meeting, with Mayor Neeta Thakre seeking an inquiry and action against those responsible.
The incident comes amid the political row between the BJP and Congress over the rendition of the national song. The Congress Working Committee recently decided to restrict its singing at party events to the first two stanzas, drawing criticism from the BJP.
The BJP-controlled NMC general body met at the District Planning Bhavan on Thursday. Singing Vande Mataram before House proceedings is a customary practice.
Congress corporator Abhijeet Jha alleged that only two stanzas were played. He also said the House initially failed to pay tribute to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his birthday on August 20, and members had to be reminded. NMC officials said a formal tribute had already been paid at the civic headquarters earlier in the morning.
The controversy deepened after civic officials gave conflicting explanations over who was responsible for the rendition.
Municipal secretary Ranjana Lade said the matter fell under the Sports and Cultural Department. “This is the work of the Sports and Cultural Officer. This is not the first time that only two stanzas have been played; this has been a tradition for a long time. However, we have sought an explanation from the Sports and Cultural Officer,” she said.
Sports Officer Piyush Ambulkar, however, said the responsibility rested with the civic secretariat. “This is the responsibility of Sachivalaya. Our responsibility is only on August 15 and January 26. On August 15, we played the entire song in the premises,” he said.
Thakre has now written to NMC Commissioner Vipin Itankar, calling for an inquiry and action against those responsible. In her letter, she said Vande Mataram had been an important source of inspiration during the freedom struggle and that “due respect and discipline” were expected while rendering it.
The mayor termed the partial rendition at an important official meeting “inappropriate” and asked the commissioner to determine why action should not be taken against those responsible.
She has also sought a clear procedure for the rendition of the National Anthem and Vande Mataram at NMC meetings, saying this would prevent such an incident from being repeated.
