‘Slip of Tongue’? National Anthem Recital Stopped Midway

Indore, June 13, 2019:

A video clip that went viral on social media shows members of Indore civic body abruptly stopped singing the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and switched to sing the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ at a meeting.

Though the faux pas is attributed to a corporator’s ‘slip of tongue’ but the demand for action against ruling BJP members of the Indore Municipal Corporation by the opposition party has gathered momentum for ‘insulting’ the national anthem.

The civic body members started singing “Jana Gana Mana” and after singing two lines, they stopped and started singing “Vande Mataram.” The incident took place when the elected representatives and others gathered for the civic body’s budget session.

Indore Mayor Malini Gaud is also visible in the video.

According to the corporation’s chairman Ajay Singh Naruka the mistake was possibly committed following a corporator’s ‘slip of the tongue’ and not anybody’s ‘ill-intention’.

Singh is of the view that such sessions start with the national song and end with the national anthem.

As provided in Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the 'Jana Gana Mana' or causes disturbances to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Keep following Inside Northeast on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram. Do download our app from the Google Playstore for the latest news updates, views, and entertainment on the go. We deliver the Northeast.