Vande Mataram compulsory in K'taka

The Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party government in Karnataka has made singing of Vande Mataram compulsory on September seven in all educational institutions to mark the centenary celebrations of the national song.

Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj Horatti told reporters on Thursday that a circular

had been issued for mandatory singing of the song in all schools and colleges.

Horatti said Vande Mataram is a national song and no caste or communal colour should be given to it.

The Commissioner of Public Instructions has issued a circular making the mandatory singing of the first two stanzas of the national song at 11 am on September seven.