Himachal Assembly Speaker Defends National Anthem, Song Protocol Amid BJP Protest

Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania reiterated the House's long-standing custom on Monday, ending the dispute between the ruling Congress and the opposition over the national anthem and song. However, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly witnessed intense arguments, sloganeering, and the departure of BJP MLAs.

Pathania decided that Jana Gana Mana, the national anthem, would open the House proceedings, while Vande Mataram, the national song, would end them. On the last day of the session, he announced, the National Song would be performed in its entirety, including all six stanzas.

“I had said this on the first day that the National Song will be rendered at the last and in full, with all six stanzas,” the Speaker said.

Speaker Defends National Anthem

He said that the National Song was added in 1950 and that the National Anthem is a part of the Constitution. “Everyone sings the national song; it is not sung by a specific party,” Pathania stated. He claimed that until recently, there was no penalty for disparaging the song or the national anthem.

“Now what will be construed as insult has been defined in the Amending Act 2026 by way of imprisonment and fine or both,” he added.

The Speaker added that instructions were received in a circular from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on July 9. It outlined current directives regarding the playing and singing of the national anthem and song and was addressed to the secretaries of central ministries and departments, as well as the chief secretaries and administrators of states and union territories. 

He clarified, however, that the new law and the presidential orders did not change the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly's established process.

“Vidhan Sabhas have the right to decide when to play the National Anthem and the Song,” he said.

Speaker Rejects Immediate Release Of House Video

He went on to say that since the amendment was made on July 10, the Vidhan Sabha, an autonomous body, should not be bound by a January notification from the Centre.

Pathania was reacting to Jai Ram Thakur, the Leader of the Opposition.

Additionally, the Speaker denied the Opposition's request for the video recording of the August 21 House proceedings, when the controversy first surfaced, to be released immediately. He stated that opposition leaders had submitted an application to the Assembly Secretariat for the video, and it was being reviewed. Pathania stated that he had reviewed the recording and would soon make a decision regarding the application.

The ruling Congress has demanded the video because it claims that certain BJP members disrespected the National Anthem while demanding that Vande Mataram be sung immediately. The BJP has refuted the accusation and insisted that its members politely stood during the playing of the National Anthem.

Agnihotri Backs Speaker's Decision On National Song

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said the current amendment simply mandated that people pay attention when the National Song was performed. He insisted that there was no custom of playing video recordings in the House and that the Speaker's decision was of utmost importance within the Assembly.