The Himachal Pradesh Assembly’s Monsoon Session began amid a major uproar over the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, with the House being adjourned within 10 minutes of the proceedings.
The confrontation continued outside the Assembly, with both the Congress and the BJP MLAs accusing each other of disrespecting national symbols. The BJP refused to accept the explanation and raised slogans inside the House, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings until 11 am on Saturday.
Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania cited the rules and said the national song is sung at the conclusion of the session. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu accused the BJP of insulting the national anthem and said the Congress respects both the national anthem and the national song.
He alleged that the BJP appeared divided in the absence of Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur and claimed that the ruckus was an attempt to sideline him. BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar, however, accused the Congress of disrespecting Vande Mataram.
Sukhu also said neither the government nor the Speaker had refused to allow the national song to be sung in full. Parmar said the BJP had made a humble request to sing the national song at the beginning of the session, but permission was denied. He said the Himachal Assembly would not function according to rules decided by the Congress Working Committee.
He accused the BJP of raising the issue for political gains and alleged that the Opposition was not respecting the traditions of the Assembly.
Sukhu said the established practice is to sing the national anthem at the beginning of a session and the national song at its conclusion.
