Palakkad: A dispute over Vande Mataram begin played in full led to a heated confrontation between councillors at the BJP-led Palakkad municipal council meeting on Friday.
Congress-led UDF councillors walked out of the hall in protest. After returning, Congress councillors demanded permission to move a special resolution seeking that only the first four lines of the song be played. Municipal chairman P Smithesh rejected the demand, saying the decision to play the full version would continue. This led to an uproar in the council. UDF and CPM councillors entered the well of the house and raised slogans. BJP councillors confronted them, following which the situation turned physical. Members of BJP and Congress were seen pushing and shoving each other.
The municipal administration played a recorded version of the complete Vande Mataram through the loudspeakers before the council session began.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news. The opposition later alleged that BJP councillors made communal remarks during the confrontation. BJP members, meanwhile, accused the opposition of disrespecting the national song for political reasons. With the situation remaining tense, the chairman adjourned the council meeting for the day. The incident comes amid a wider political debate in Kerala over the playing of Vande Mataram in full at official functions and public institutions. Download the TOI App.