There arose a difference after the Kerala Assembly session commenced. During the speech of Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the Kerala Police Band performed the first stanza of Vande Mataram and stopped in the middle.

On Thursday, in practice at Lok Bhavan, Lok Bhavan directed that the national anthem be performed in its entirety. However, the state government did not abide by the directive and continued performing the anthem by just starting with the first stanza. According to the BJP, the state government insulted both Vande Mataram and the Governor.

Governor Arlekar expressed displeasure over the lack of a full rendition of Vande Mataram in the Assembly. He said that proper protocol should be followed when the Governor attends such events. On the other hand, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan stated that the full singing of the national anthem is not mandatory.

No law has been passed by Parliament in this regard. In a video message posted on Twitter, BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawala alleged that the Congress-led UDF government violated constitutional protocol by not ensuring the full singing of Vande Mataram.

This move was taken under pressure from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a UDF ally. The Muslim League hates Vande Mataram. Under pressure, the UDF government shortened Vande Mataram and insulted the Governor.