Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Monday issued a strict directive after a version of ‘Vande Mataram’ sung by late legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was played instead of the official version of the national song at an event.
Marathi Course Completion Ceremony Held in Thane
A ceremony took place in Thane city to celebrate the completion of a Marathi language course for cab and auto-rickshaw drivers. Certificates were awarded to participants from non-Marathi backgrounds who successfully completed the program. This initiative aimed to enhance communication skills among drivers, facilitating better service for passengers, according to the PTI news agency.
Shinde, while speaking towards the end of the event, urged organisers to strictly ensure that the official version and rendition of the national song approved by Parliament is played at public programmes, PTI reported. The gaffe at the event attended by Shinde comes at a time when the BJP and Congress are trading barbs amid a row over an Independence Day video featuring Sonia Gandhi and other party leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Meanwhile, the BJP has alleged that the Congress chief sang an “incomplete” version of the national song during his public meeting in South Goa on Monday, and accused the grand old party of disrespecting the national song. Kharge said the BJP was unaware of the historical decisions taken by the Congress on the national song and the national anthem. “They don’t know that before they were born, the Congress had passed the resolution to decide about the national song and the national anthem,” he said, according to PTI. The Congress president said he had followed the version of ‘Vande Mataram’ that had been sung for decades.
