Overview
- On November 24, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat reminded members that raising slogans such as ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jai Hind’ inside or outside the House breaches decorum.
- Opposition leaders including Mamata Banerjee and Congress spokespersons criticised the restriction, while Uddhav Thackeray said his party’s MPs will chant ‘Vande Mataram’ in Parliament.
- Government sources say a day-long discussion on the national song during the Winter Session starting December 1 is under consideration, with outreach expected at Sunday’s all-party meeting.
- Reports citing top sources indicate the Centre may remove ‘Vande Mataram’ from the objection list in the parliamentary handbook, noting similar guidance has existed since at least 2005 and changes cited from 2012.
- The dispute coincides with nationwide 150th anniversary commemorations launched on November 7, which included a commemorative coin and stamp, and references to customary recital at session endings.