Bhopal, Jan 2 (IT): The year 2019 started on a controversial note for the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh. The controversy is that officials in the Secretariat did not sing Vande Mataram--the National song--on January 1.

For past 13 years, there has been a practice where government officials would sing Vande Mataram on the first day of every month before starting the day's work. The practice was started by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The BJP, which is now in the Opposition, said ending the tradition is "unfortunate". Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "It is unfortunate that the new Congress government has ended this tradition. I demand that it should be reintroduced."

He said if the government fails to restore the practice, he would sing Vande Mataram "with patriots" at the Vallabh Bhavan (Secretariat).

"I have decided that I will sing Vande Matram inside the [Secretariat] premises at 11 am on January 6," he told news agency ANI.

Speaking about the practice, Chouhan said, "It's a mantra that instils a sense of patriotism. The then BJP government had decided that weekly cabinet meetings would be started with it [singing Vande Mataram] and that it'll be sung at the Vallabh Bhavan (Secretariat) on first day of every month."

CM Kamal Nath rubbishes allegations

On the other hand, Chief Minister Kamal Nath has rubbished the allegations levelled by the BJP. He said the state government has not decided to end the practice of singing Vande Mataram. "The order is on hold and will be reintroduced in a new form," he said.

Hitting out at the BJP, Nath said the decision to put the practice on hold has neither been taken with any political motive, nor is the Congress against singing Vande Mataram.

"The National song is in our hearts. However, we also believe that merely singing Vande Mataram once a month is not a certificate of one's patriotism. Love for ones country cannot be linked to singing the National song once a month. Are those who don't sing Vande Mataram any less patriots?" he asked.

He said Congress believes that "patriotism is a feeling which does not require display", and the "BJP should not politicise the matter".