Bhopal: The practice of reciting of Vande Matram at Mantralaya on the first day of every month has been stopped with the Congress coming to power in the state. The reciting of the National Song was supposed to take place on Tuesday, being the first day of the month, but it was not done so.
According to information, Vande Matram recitation was not held following verbal orders coming from the higher ups. The General Administration Department (GAD) had issued instructions on December 28 about reciting the National Song.
GAD, at the end of every month, seeks information about minister or officer leading the recitation of the National song. GAD was given instructions that recitation of the National Song would not be done on official basis. Chief Secretary SR Mohanty said he had no information in this matter.
Earlier, former Chief Minister Babulal Gaur had got the practice of reciting the National Song by employees on the first day of the month at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Park, Mantralaya. Chief Minister, ministers, Chief Secretary and other senior administrative officers have been attending it, as per their availability.
On the other hand, the BJP has objected to decision of the Congress government. BJP spokesman Rajnish Agarwal said GAD comes under Chief Minister Kamal Nath and he should clarify whether he had decided to stop recitation of the National Song or not.
Agarwal alleged that the decision has revealed the true face of Congress. He said Congress should also tell whether it would put ban on hailing Mother India. Meanwhile, Congress has countered the attack of the BJP. Congress spokesman Abhay Dubey said the BJP was doing false propaganda over recitation of the National Song.
