The President has assented to the #VandeMataram Amendment, passed without discussion in Parliament, which requires the singing of the National Song in full at the start and ending of any official function, in addition to the National Anthem.
As one who greatly respects both, and can sing the first two stanzas of the former (but not the other four, which were never required till now) as well as the entire anthem, i would like to point to just one practical consideration our zealots appear to have overlooked: human nature.
"Jana Gana Mana" requires audiences to stand respectfully and focus their attention for a reasonable 52 seconds. The National Song in full takes 3 minutes and 10 seconds. Tamil Nadu has just decided that both will be preceded by the State Song in Tamil for another 2 minutes. Do we really expect audiences to stand still and respectfully for six minutes before and after every function, a total of 12 extra minutes? Can respect and patience be legislated?
I fear that the intent of the Bill, to promote greater respect for the National Song , will not be achieved, but its opposite may well be....
श्रावण मास की शिवरात्रि के पावन पर्व की सभी देशवासियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ।
महादेव की कृपा से सभी के जीवन में सुख, शांति, समृद्धि और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य बना रहे।
हर हर महादेव
I support the demands of the protesting students in Jharkhand and appeal to the govt to resolve their issues immediately. Violence against students is simply unacceptable
Why is such brutal force being used against protesting students in Jharkhand?
When political parties protest, we don’t see the police resorting to lathicharge or tear gas.
So why is this force repeatedly used only against students?
This evening, I addressed a large gathering of super-energetic Aam Aadmi Party volunteers in Cortalim, Goa.
Our volunteers have a huge responsibility on their shoulders. AAP is Goa’s hope. It is up to us to free our Goa from BJP's exploitation and loot.
Scathing comment by an Opposition leader on the state of affairs in the judiciary.
Indeed, we should be very alarmed by the manner in which courts are being weaponised to achieve political ends. Our courts should be protected and remain institutions of very high integrity.
The Young Gen will ensure this happens. Accountability shall be fixed.
Goa BJP govt is a builders-colonisers govt and doesn’t care about the people of Goa.
Section 39(a) is being used to sell and destroy Goa, not just in Karapur but across the length and breadth of the state. It needs to be rolled back immediately.
Rama Kankonkar is on anshan for 9 days to save Goa. We stand with him in this struggle.
Today, I met with highly dedicated and determined volunteers of the Aam Aadmi Party in Panaji, Goa.
Over the last 15 years, the BJP has looted Goa and made the lives of Goans miserable. AAP is the only party that can bring true change, and our volunteers will be the driving force behind this historic change.
It seems there is a tearing hurry to go to SC. Should judges be allowed SC elevation out of turn, bypassing seniority? That makes him vulnerable to quid pro quo. What is examined before a judge is elevated to SC? Loyalty to the emperor? Should people not know? What face will they show the young gen? No out of turn, opaque elevation shud be permitted. Esp in such cases who throw law to the wind and go out of their way to please the executive. We should be careful of weaponisation of courts. Integrity of courts is most important for democracy to survive.
This is absolutely shocking and horrifying. Mamata Di is a former CM of the state. Just look at the audacity of those hooligans attacking her car. We stand strongly with you, Mamata Di.
Law and order have been deliberately compromised by the ruling BJP to threaten and attack opposition leaders in West Bengal. The desperation in the BJP keeps growing as the Modi government loses popularity.
विश्व आदिवासी दिवस की पूरे आदिवासी समाज को बहुत-बहुत बधाई।
देश में आदिवासी समाज के साथ ही सबसे ज़्यादा अन्याय हुआ है। दूसरी पार्टियों द्वारा आपके जल, जंगल और ज़मीन पर डाका डाला गया।
केवल आम आदमी पार्टी ही आपके अधिकारों के लिए लड़ रही है। आज चैतर वसावा जेल में हैं क्योंकि वे आपकी आवाज़ उठा रहे थे। उनके जल्द बाहर आने के लिए प्रार्थना करें।