Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 22 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Minister Jagat Singh Negi launched a sharp critique against the opposition BJP, accusing the party of introducing a bill regarding the National Song in Parliament solely to distract from pressing national issues, including border security concerns, inflation, and agrarian distress.
Speaking to ANI in Shimla, the Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister emphasised that the debate over Vande Mataram is being leveraged for political leverage rather than genuine patriotism.
Negi asserted that the debate was brought to Parliament to divert public focus from agrarian crises, youth unemployment, rising inflation, and border security issues involving China.
"This is because the BJP wants to divert the attention of the people of the country... There are issues concerning farmers, the youth, inflation, and unemployment. The country's borders are not secure; China has intruded... In Himachal, the apple industry is facing a major crisis... To divert attention from all these matters, they brought the Bill regarding the National Song in the Parliament," he said.
Parliament in July passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai moved the bill to further amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
The legislation seeks to give Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. These offences are punishable with imprisonment up to three years, a fine, or both.
Reminding critics of its legacy, Negi noted that Rabindranath Tagore sang the song in 1939 and that millions of freedom fighters sang Vande Mataram during the independence movement. He cautioned against stripping away its inclusive spirit to suit a single political party's agenda.
"Even though the National Song was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore in 1939, it has remained central to our struggle for independence ever since. This song inspired countless freedom fighters to rally for the country's independence... Now, there is an attempt to shift it away from its secular nature and use it to further the agenda of a specific political party," said Negi.
Negi pointed out that the established Assembly rules and protocols dictate when national songs are sung, adding that for the first time in Himachal's legislative history, a customary obituary reference for deceased current or former members was disallowed during the session.
"Furthermore, for the first time in Himachal's legislative history, the customary obituary reference, usually held when a sitting or former member passes away during the session, was not allowed to take place. No one refused to sing the national song, but there is a proper time for every song, and our Legislative Assembly has its own established rules," added Negi.
He stressed that while symbolic controversies are elevated, critical regional challenges--such as the major economic crisis facing Himachal's apple industry--are being sidelined.
Negi reiterated that the state government remains focused on addressing substantive issues, including local economic development, border land rights, and protecting the interests of agricultural communities across Himachal Pradesh.
Negi's remarks came after proceedings in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha were washed out yesterday amid an uproar over the singing of the National Song, Vande Mataram, on the opening day of the assembly's monsoon session.
BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar, who demanded the singing of Vande Mataram in the Himachal Pradesh State Assembly, alleged that his demand for a full rendition of the national song went unheeded and accused the Congress of committing an act bordering on sedition.
"...Today marked the first day of the monsoon session, which commenced with the National Anthem; all members of the House stood and sang it in unison before taking our seats. I raised a point regarding a recent Legislative development concerning the National Song, 'Vande Mataram', specifically, that the entire song should be sung, adhering to established tradition... My plea went unheeded and was disregarded... It is the ruling party that has committed an act bordering on sedition; the Chief Minister should have taken the lead in insisting that the National Song be sung in its entirety, thereby establishing a new, positive tradition..." said Parmar to ANI.
However, Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania emphasised that the National Song is sung only at the conclusion of the session. He subsequently adjourned the House, stating that members showed little interest in the proceedings of the assembly.
"Regarding the House proceedings: we have a welcome ceremony, followed by the National Anthem; the National Song is sung only when we conclude the session... When I gauged the mood of the House, on both sides, I felt that the members were less interested in the proceedings, so I adjourned the House until tomorrow... Parliament has passed the Act; it must now undergo judicial scrutiny, after which Parliament retains its jurisdiction... The Legislature is the supreme authority, the supreme body representing the elected people of Himachal Pradesh, and it is the body that decides on rules and procedures," Singh told ANI.
Pathania in the Himachal assembly earlier clarified that the central guidelines regarding the National Song apply to government events and do not directly govern Vidhan Sabha proceedings. Referring to long-standing convention, the Speaker noted that assembly business traditionally opens with the National Anthem and concludes with the National Song. Parmar added that, in line with this practice, sessions will commence with Jana Gana Mana and end with Vande Mataram.
However, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu accused the BJP of disrespecting the National Anthem in the state assembly, asserting that neither the party's national leadership nor its state unit has the right to insult the National Anthem in the country.
"It is deeply regrettable that the BJP insulted the National Anthem in the House today. We never expected the BJP to show such disrespect. Despite the Speaker's attempts to reason with them, and his eventual success in ensuring the National Anthem was sung, they refused to heed his counsel... Neither the BJP at the national level nor the BJP in Himachal Pradesh has the right to insult the National Anthem..." CM Sukhu told ANI. (ANI)
BJP diversions won't mask border security, economic failures": Himachal Minister Negi over Vande Mataram row
