Pro-BJP Syndicate member seeks singing of National Song in full

A pro-BJP Syndicate member in the University of Calicut has urged Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran to ensure that the National Song, Vande Mataram, is sung in full at the honorary doctorate presentation ceremony to be attended by Governor and Chancellor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Higher Education Minister Roji M. John on October 6.A.K. Anuraj, the Syndicate member, said in his letter on Tuesday (September 29) that not singing the song in full would be punishable as per the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026. This comes in the wake of news reports that pro-Left Syndicate members had urged the authorities to ensure that only two stanzas are sung at the event. Since Mr. Arlekar was the chief guest at the event, the official protocol of the Union Home Ministry should be kept, Mr. Anuraj added. Published - September 29, 2026 06:53 pm IST