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Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has responded sharply to the controversy over the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram, questioning the criticism raised by the Congress and saying that government functions must follow legal provisions.

The row erupted after the National Conference-led Jammu and Kashmir government played the complete version of Vande Mataram during the inauguration of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing reporters, Abdullah said that playing the full version of the national song at official events was now a statutory requirement and could not be avoided.

'Should Kashmiris Be Jailed?' Omar Abdullah Questions Congress

Taking a swipe at the Congress, Abdullah asked whether people in Jammu and Kashmir should face legal action for following the law.

“So, what does the Congress want? That Kashmiris should be put in jail for this reason? This is a statutory obligation,” Abdullah said.

He added that the rule applies across the country and not just Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Abdullah, the same practice would also have to be followed in states ruled by the Congress if the legal requirement applies to official programs.

Congress Objects to Full Version of Vande Mataram

The Congress had raised objections over the singing of the complete version of Vande Mataram, citing its historical position and concerns about maintaining India's pluralistic character.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that the party's stand was based on a 1937 resolution of the Congress Working Committee, which supported singing only the first two stanzas of the song.

He argued that the shorter version respected India's diverse cultural and religious traditions.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hamid Karra also said that national symbols should reflect the country's constitutional values ​​and diversity.

Omar Abdullah Says Parliament Should Decide

The J&K Chief Minister said that if the Congress disagreed with the current legal framework, it could seek a change through Parliament.

Abdullah said his party has historically maintained a different position on Vande Mataram, but as a government it has to follow existing legal obligations.

“When the Congress comes to power, they can revoke it in Parliament. Let them do it, we have no objection,” he said.

NC Targets Congress Over Double Standards

The controversy intensified after the National Conference pointed towards instances in Congress-ruled states where the full version of Vande Mataram was played during official events.

NC spokesperson Sadiq shared videos from Karnataka and Telangana and questioned the Congress' objection to similar practices in Jammu and Kashmir.

Political Debate Over National Symbols Intensifies

The Vande Mataram controversy has once again brought the debate over national symbols, constitutional values ​​and political interpretations into focus.

With the National Conference and Congress being allies at the broader opposition level, the disagreement has highlighted differences within the alliance over issues to identity, history and national symbols.