Kerala minister defends sitting during Vande Mataram rendition

Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan on Tuesday defended his decision to sit down during the rendition of Vande Mataram at a public function in Kasaragod, saying that nobody needed to teach him patriotism as he was the son of a freedom fighter.

The Minister’s response came a day after he attracted criticism for sitting down while Vande Mataram was being sung at the inauguration of a laboratory at the Mooliyar Family Health Centre



in Kasaragod on Monday.

Explaining his position, Muraleedharan said the state government’s official protocol made it compulsory for everyone to stand during the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

He maintained that he had not violated any such protocol.

“No one needs to teach me patriotism. I am the son of a freedom fighter,” he said, hitting back at those who questioned his conduct.