Fresh Vande Mataram row in Keralam as Health Minister returns to seat before rendition ends at State govt event; BJP seeks apology

K. Muraleedharan | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Keralam Health Minister K. Muraleedharan returned to his seat before the full rendition of Vande Mataram was completed at an official function in Kasaragod on Monday (November 9, 2026), prompting the BJP to demand an apology. The Minister has defended his action, saying he would not allow anyone to “hijack” a State government event.

The incident took place during the inauguration of a laboratory at Mulleria Family Health Centre, a government facility, in Kasaragod.

Referring to the incident, Mr. Muraleedharan on Tuesday said he would not cooperate with any attempt to “hijack” a State government function and that was what he indicated through his actions.

‘Don’t need anyone to teach me patriotism’

“I do not need anyone to teach me patriotism. I am the son of a freedom fighter,” the Minister, who is the son of late Congress stalwart and former Keralam Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, said.