Shivamogga MLA walks out of government programme protesting against rendition of only first two stanzas of Vande Mataram

S.N. Channabasappa, Shivamogga BJP MLA, expressing his objection against the rendition of only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at a programme in Shivamogga on Tuesday (September 15). | Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh S.N. Channabasappa, Shivamogga BJP MLA, walked out of a programme organised by the Shivamogga district administration on Tuesday (September 15) to mark the International Day of Democracy. He was protesting against the rendition of the national song, Vande Mataram, being limited to its first two stanzas.The MLA was presiding over the programme, held at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavana in the town and attended by Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti and other senior officers of the district. As the programme began, the Naadageethe and Vande Mataram were presented. The MLA objected to the national song being limited to the first two stanzas and demanded that it be rendered in full.The Karnataka government has issued an order stating that only the first two stanzas of the Vande Mataram are to be sung at State functions. The officers sought to explain that the programme had been planned as per instructions from the State government. Mr. Channabasappa walked out, stating that he would not be part of a programme where the national song was cut short.Leaders of the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, including its State convener M. Gurumurthy, who were among the audience, intervened to point out that the officers had organised the programme as per the recent State government order. They remarked that the MLA was insulting democracy by walking out of the programme.Meanwhile, Shivamogga District Congress Committee president H.C. Yogesh condemned the BJP legislator’s act. He asked whether the MLA could sing the full song. He further remarked that the MLA had shown disrespect towards democracy and the Constitution, adding that the BJP had always been opposed to the Constitution and its architect, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Published - September 15, 2026 07:04 pm IST