Police record UDF leader statement in Kozhikode anthem row

Police recorded the statement of UDF council leader S.V. Mohammed Shameel Thangal on Monday in connection with the controversy over two groups singing the national anthem and the national song simultaneously at the Kozhikode Corporation Independence Day event. The incident occurred on August 15 when BJP councillors began singing the full version of Vande Mataram as the LDF and UDF councillors sang Jana Gana Mana after the flag hoisting by Mayor O. Sadasivan.

Assistant Commissioner T.K. Asharaf is investigating complaints filed by Thangal, LDF council leader K. Rajeev, and BJP councillor Navya Haridas. Kozhikode Town police recorded Haridas's statement on Sunday. No FIR has been registered yet.

The LDF and UDF complaints allege BJP councillors insulted the national anthem by singing the national song simultaneously. The BJP complaint counters that the national anthem was sung improperly while the national song was being rendered, and that the Mayor, deputy mayor, and others later walked away. Both groups persisted despite the confusion, with the Mayor and others completing the anthem before leaving while BJP councillors continued singing Vande Mataram.