Bengaluru, Sept. 22 -- Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has advised the state government to reconsider its Government Order dated September 8, 2026, which prescribes that the National Song "Vande Mataram" shall ordinarily be sung only to the extent of its first two stanzas at state government functions.

In a letter dated September 21, 2026, to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, the Governor said the state decision is contrary to the guidelines of the Government of India and in violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026.

The Governor noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued specific "Orders relating to the National Song and the National Anthem of India" and has prescribed the official versi...