National Conference (NC) has defended the full rendition of Vande Mataram at official events in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) as a constitutional duty, citing a Union home ministry directive. The NC spokesperson, Tanvir Sadiq, stated that the six-stanza version of the song has become a statutory obligation following parliamentary enactment. The directive, issued in February, mandates the full version at all state functions, official events, and legislature sessions. The NC also referenced the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, passed in August, which elevates Vande Mataram to a status akin to the national anthem, making disrespect a punishable offence.

Congress, the NC’s political ally, has expressed disapproval, arguing that the full version of the song is inconsistent with the pluralist ethos envisioned by India’s freedom fighters. J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra stated that national symbols and traditions should unite a diverse nation, and it is concerning that alliance partners chose to sing the full version. Congress leader KC Venugopal echoed this, noting that the first two stanzas were adopted during the freedom movement, reflecting inclusivity. He urged allies to respect the judgment of leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and Maulana Azad, who shaped the version of the song used in the independence struggle.

The NC countered that the J&K government is merely fulfilling its official obligation, akin to Congress-led states that have adopted the full version. Sadiq emphasized that the party does not oppose those who wish to sing the anthem but opposes forcing people to do so. He clarified that the NC has not endorsed either the two-stanza or six-stanza version. The NC president, Farooq Abdullah, and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stood for the full version at the inauguration of the state’s first international film festival on September 7, a move that has sparked debate.

The dispute highlights tensions within the INDIA bloc, a coalition of parties including Congress and NC. While the NC frames the full rendition as a legal requirement, Congress maintains that it is a matter of historical and ideological principle. The Union home ministry’s directive and the amended law have made the full version of Vande Mataram a legal obligation, though the religious concerns of some Muslims remain unaddressed. NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar acknowledged these objections, stating that while the full version is not religiously acceptable to Muslims, it is a constitutional duty that must be fulfilled.

What remains unclear is the extent to which the full version of Vande Mataram will be enforced across India, and whether the NC’s stance will influence other states. The NC has not provided a formal response to the religious concerns raised by Muslims, nor has Congress offered a detailed rebuttal to the NC’s legal arguments. The situation underscores the broader debate over national symbols and their role in a diverse democracy, with both parties citing historical and legal justifications for their positions.