The full rendition of Vande Mataram was sung twice during the National Sports Day celebrations organised by Kerala University on Tuesday (September 1, 2026). Keralam Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and State Ministers were among those present on the stage.

The ceremony was attended by Mr Arlekar, Higher Education Minister Roji M. John, Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh and Kerala University Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) Mohanan Kunnummal.

According to university officials, Vande Mataram was included in the programme following a specific instruction from the Governor’s office in view of his participation in the event.

The song was performed in its entirety at the beginning of the programme and was repeated at its conclusion. The national anthem was also sung after Vande Mataram.

Mr. Janeesh, when asked about the decision, said he understood that a protocol existed when the Governor attended an official function. He indicated that the inclusion of Vande Mataram was connected with that protocol, while acknowledging that he did not have complete clarity on the circumstances.

The issue comes shortly after a similar controversy erupted during the concluding ceremony of the Onam Week celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram, where Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan was present. Vande Mataram was sung in full during that function as well.

At the time, Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh had explained that the Vice-President’s participation in an official ceremony entailed a specific protocol that had to be followed.

However, the CPI(M) targeted the government, with party State secretary M.V. Govindan claiming that Vande Mataram was a ‘Hindu song’ when rendered in full and could not be considered a secular composition. He also alleged a “deal” between Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Senior CPI(M) leader and former Minister V. Sivankutty also questioned the government’s approach and alleged that the move reflected a political accommodation with the BJP.