Omar says people need time to adjust to Vande Mataram at official events, blames successive Centre govts for weakening states

18/08/2026

SRINAGAR, Aug 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said people may take some time to get accustomed to the singing of 'Vande Mataram' at official functions as the national song has been included in such events for the first time this year, while asserting that both BJP and previous UPA governments contributed to the gradual centralisation of powers vested with states.
Speaking to reporters here, Abdullah also sought to play down the controversy surrounding the alleged interruption of 'Vande Mataram' during a Congress Independence Day function in New Delhi, saying all three verses of the song were sung at the event.
"Congress also gave a clarification from its side. It said, look at the video, all three verses of Vande Mataram were sung there. So what is the controversy here? They were sung," he said.
"It will take us a little time to get used to it. This is the first time that this has been included. We are also adjusting a little bit," Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister said the inclusion of the national song in the Independence Day programme was new even for him.
"This was my eighth Independence Day parade, but it was for the first time Vande Mataram was included in it. It took me some time to understand that first I will stand up, Vande Mataram will play, then I will unfurl the flag, then the National Anthem will play. Perhaps Congress also took time to adjust; it happens," he said.
His remarks came amid a political controversy over an alleged attempt to stop the singing of the national song during a Congress programme at its headquarters in Delhi. A complaint has also been filed with the Delhi Police seeking registration of an FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi over the alleged incident.
The Congress has maintained that there was no attempt to prevent the singing of the full version and referred to a 1937 decision of its Working Committee that the initial stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' would be sung at Congress sessions.
On the issue of states' rights, Abdullah said the weakening of the powers of states in areas such as education and health could not be attributed solely to the BJP.
"This fault is not just of the BJP; various Central governments have played a role in weakening the states," he said, adding that the UPA government also had a role in the process.
The Chief Minister said education and health were state subjects under the constitutional division of powers and called for a clearer demarcation of responsibilities between the Centre and states.
"What belongs to the state should be left to the state; what belongs to the Centre, the Centre should handle," he said.
Referring to the ongoing student protests in Jharkhand, Abdullah said dialogue should continue if the protesters' demands were genuine.
"If the students' demands are legitimate and correct, then somewhere they should sit down and talk. If they are not, then say it straight that their talk has no weight. If one round of talks has taken place, and you are saying there will be a second round, then somewhere there must be some truth to their demands," he said.
Abdullah linked the issue to the broader question of centralisation of examinations, including NEET. He said had such examinations remained under state jurisdiction, accountability for any lapse would have rested with the concerned state government rather than the Centre.
He argued that excessive centralisation had blurred the division of responsibilities and said states should retain control over subjects falling within their domain.
In his Independence Day address in Srinagar, Abdullah had also advocated returning control of major examinations such as NEET and JEE to the states.
Asked about a social media post by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Abdullah declined to comment, saying he should not be asked to explain or respond to what she posts on her social media account.

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