Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday said that the state government has a clear policy regarding the singing of the national song 'Vande Mataram' and the same will be clear during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15.
Satheesan was responding to reporters' queries, during a press conference here, on what the government's stand is with regard to singing of the national song following a recent letter of the Kerala chief secretary Bishwanath Sinha stating that the central government's instructions on recitation of Vande Mataram should be followed in full.
The CM said that the chief secretary did not issue any circular and only forwarded to the Local Self Government Department Secretary the instructions he had received from the Centre.
"The letter does not contain the policy or stand of the state government," he said.
"The state government decides the Independence Day-related programmes in Kerala. It has a clear policy stand on the matter. The UDF has a clear policy on that. There are just a few days for August 15. You will see then," Satheesan contended.
Fielding several queries on why the government has not clarified its position following the chief secretary's letter, which reportedly was creating confusion among officials, the CM reiterated that the administration has a clear policy on the issue and it will be clear on August 15.
He also said that a law has been passed, which has also been signed by the President of India and notified, that mandates complete rendition of the national song.
"It is a law passed by the Parliament. If it is not followed or violated in any manner, it carries a punishment of a three-year jail term. But the state government and the Congress-led UDF has a clear stand regarding the matter. We will do things according to our stand," he said.
