Monsoon Session Opens With Political Fireworks as Vande Mataram Row Rocks Himachal Assembly

The monsoon session of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly began on a stormy note on Friday, with a heated confrontation between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP over the issue of singing Vande Mataram in the House.

While the session formally commenced with the National Anthem, BJP legislators soon objected to the absence of Vande Mataram before the start of official business. The opposition members raised slogans and demanded an explanation, leading to noisy scenes inside the Assembly.

Responding to the protest, Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania clarified that there is no requirement for Vande Mataram to be sung at the beginning of Assembly proceedings. He pointed out that the long-standing tradition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly is to start the session with the National Anthem, while Vande Mataram is sung at the conclusion of the session.

However, the clarification failed to calm tempers. BJP members continued their protest, forcing repeated interruptions in the proceedings.

The situation became particularly sensitive as the House was scheduled to pay tribute to former legislators who had recently passed away. The Speaker urged members not to create a new precedent during the condolence references and appealed for decorum, but the unrest continued.

As the atmosphere grew increasingly charged, Speaker Pathania warned that he would have no option but to adjourn the House if order was not restored. With opposition members refusing to back down, he eventually adjourned the proceedings until 11 a.m. on Saturday.

The confrontation soon escalated into a full-fledged political slugfest. Congress legislators accused the BJP of showing disrespect to the National Anthem, while Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and ruling party members later walked out of the House, raising slogans against the opposition’s conduct.

Even before the Assembly convened, political temperatures were already running high. BJP MLAs staged a protest outside the opposition lounge in the Assembly complex, carrying placards and banners against the Congress government. The opposition targeted the state government over what it described as “anti-people policies” and questioned its promise of providing five lakh jobs, alleging that the commitment had not been fulfilled.

The dramatic start has set the tone for what could be a turbulent monsoon session. The BJP is expected to corner the government on several issues, including recent FIRs, interrogations, governance matters, and employment concerns. During Question Hour, opposition legislators are likely to seek answers on a range of public issues, raising the possibility of further sharp exchanges in the House.

Amid the growing political tension, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania appealed to both sides to ensure the smooth functioning of the Assembly. He assured members that everyone would get adequate opportunity to raise issues and participate in debates. He also hinted that the session could be extended if necessary to allow detailed discussion on matters affecting the state.

With both the government and opposition appearing ready for a confrontation, the monsoon session has begun with high political drama and signs of intense debates in the days ahead.