The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly was adjourned within 10 minutes of commencing its Monsoon Session on Friday, 21 August, after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators disrupted proceedings over the non-rendition of Vande Mataram at the start of the session. The uproar, which drew counter-sloganeering from the ruling Congress benches, forced Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania to adjourn the House until 11 am on Saturday.

How the Disruption Unfolded

As the House assembled in Shimla, BJP member Vipin Singh Parmar raised the issue of the national song's omission and sought Speaker Pathania's permission to address the matter. Parmar alleged that the Congress had insulted Vande Mataram by deciding to sing only two stanzas at party events, contending that a Central government law now makes it mandatory to sing the song in its entirety and that the Congress had violated this law.

The dispute quickly escalated into a full-blown uproar, with BJP members raising slogans and Congress legislators responding with counter-slogans. When normalcy could not be restored, Speaker Pathania adjourned the House.

What the Speaker Said

Speaker Pathania clarified that the Central government's law on Vande Mataram 'does not apply to state Legislative Assemblies and is intended only for government functions.' He added, however, that the full version of the national song would be sung at the conclusion of the Assembly session, in keeping with established tradition — which begins sessions with the national anthem and closes them with the national song.

Pathania also urged the Opposition to cooperate, noting that the first day of any session is conventionally reserved for obituary references and tributes to departed members. He said it would be inappropriate to forgo paying homage to former members. Despite this appeal, the Opposition remained adamant.

BJP's Charge Against Congress

Outside the Assembly, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur trained his fire directly at Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Thakur said Sukhu 'must clearly understand that the country is governed by laws passed by Parliament and the Constitution, not by the diktats of the Congress Working Committee. His statement regarding the singing of only two stanzas of Vande Mataram is highly condemnable and constitutes an insult to the country's freedom fighters.'

Thakur invoked historical precedent, recalling that in 1937 the Congress had halted the singing of the full Vande Mataram to avoid displeasing the Muslim League. 'Now, after 75 years as Vande Mataram is being sung in its entirety once again and the song echoes from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the Congress finds it intolerable,' he said. He called for strict action against anyone disrespecting the national song.

Congress Response

Congress legislators denied allegations of disrespect, accusing the BJP of politicising national symbols to disrupt the session's business. Both sides traded charges of dishonoring national pride in the Assembly premises and outside. The standoff left the session's first-day agenda — tribute to departed members — unaddressed.

What Happens Next

The House is scheduled to reconvene on Saturday, 22 August. The Speaker has indicated that the full Vande Mataram will be sung at the session's close. Whether the BJP will allow proceedings to resume without further disruption remains to be seen, with the Monsoon Session's legislative agenda now under pressure from the very first day.