Thiruvananthapuram, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan on Tuesday defended his decision to remain seated during the rendition of Vande Mataram at a public function in Kasaragod, saying that nobody needed to teach him patriotism as he was the son of a freedom fighter.
The Minister faced criticism after sitting down while Vande Mataram was being sung at the inauguration of a laboratory at the Mooliyar Family Health Centre in Kasaragod on Monday.
Explaining his position, Muraleedharan said the state government’s official protocol required everyone to stand during the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and maintained that he had not violated any such protocol.
“No one needs to teach me patriotism. I am the son of a freedom fighter,” he said.
The incident occurred when Vande Mataram continued beyond its first two stanzas. The Minister returned to his seat before the rendition was completed. Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan and MLA Kallatra Mahin, who were also seated on the dais, followed suit and remained seated.
However, MLA K. Neelakandan and District Congress Committee president P.K. Faisal continued standing until the song ended. The contrasting responses of the public representatives triggered criticism of the Minister.
The episode has also drawn attention to the distinction between the National Anthem and the National Song. Jana Gana Mana is India’s National Anthem, while Vande Mataram is the National Song.
Muraleedharan has maintained that patriotism cannot be judged by his conduct at the function and invoked his father’s association with the freedom struggle in defending his position.
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