BJP-ruled Nagpur civic body sings 2 stanzas of Vande Mataram

During a recent general body meeting, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation drew attention when it only sung two stanzas of Vande Mataram, reflecting a similar stance taken by the Congress party. (File photo)

NAGPUR: Even as BJP and its allies have criticised Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and national president Mallikarjun Kharge over the party singing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram, the BJP-governed Nagpur Municipal Corporation too sang only two stanzas of the national song at its general body meeting on Thursday, exposing an administrative lapse.The NMC general body meeting was held at Niyojan Bhavan in Sadar. As per tradition, Vande Mataram is sung before the House proceedings begin. Until now, the civic body had been singing only two stanzas.The lapse assumes significance following the Centre’s reported directive for complete rendition of Vande Mataram at govt and official programmes. BJP has recently targeted Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over the Congress decision to sing only two stanzas of the national song at its national executive meeting.Despite BJP being in power in the civic body, none of its members appears to have noticed or objected to the two-stanza rendition at Thursday’s meeting. The administration is now likely to face questions over why the latest directive was not implemented.The Union home ministry has reportedly directed that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung before the national anthem at govt and official functions. The complete rendition is understood to last around three minutes and 10 seconds.Speaking to TOI, municipal secretary Ranjana Lade first said the whole song was sung. But when it was pointed out that only two stanzas were played, she said, “I would check whether the recording cassette has developed any snag or not and would revert back.”Administration faces questionsThe incident has, however, highlighted apparent gap between the BJP’s political stand on the national song and its implementation at the civic body it controls. Officials could be asked to explain why full rendition was not arranged despite the reported changes in the Centre’s instructions.Legal protectionPresident Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the National Honour Insult Prevention Act, 2026, on August 11, 2026, the civic administration said. The Act gives legal protection to Vande Mataram and makes insulting the song, disrupting its rendition, or stopping people from singing it a punishable offence.