A recent directive by the Chief Secretary to government departments in Kerala to recite Vande Mataram in its entirety during Independence Day celebrations has sparked controversy. However, a circular issued by the Director of General Education (DGE) Snehil Kumar Singh to all school head teachers, deputy directors of education, and district education officers makes no mention of the rendition of the national song.
The circular, dated August 11, instructs school head teachers to hoist the national flag and recite the national anthem as part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations. It also directs them to celebrate the occasion in an appropriate and dignified manner, ensuring that everyone stands up as a mark of respect during the national anthem and that the provisions of the Flag Code of India, 2002, are strictly followed during the flag hoisting.
The circular further states that rendition of patriotic songs and other programmes should be organised. Notably, another circular from the General Administration (Protocol) department on August 4 also does not mention the recital of Vande Mataram as part of Independence Day celebrations.
The DGE’s circular also highlights that the manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of national flags manufactured using plastics are banned, and that green protocol should be observed for all programmes. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has clarified that the Chief Secretary’s directions were related to the Union government’s Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, had become a law, but the Congress-led UDF government in the State had a clear stand on this. He added that the State government’s stand would be clear to everyone on Independence Day.
