Ahead of Independence Day, the Kerala state education department has provided specific instructions to schools across the state regarding the protocol for official celebrations. The directive clarifies that the national anthem is the designated song for the event. The guidance explicitly distinguishes between the national anthem and 'Vande Mataram', stipulating that the former is to be sung during the proceedings.

While the directive serves as a procedural instruction for school administrators, it has drawn attention due to the specific exclusion of 'Vande Mataram' as a substitute or alternative for the national anthem. The state government's communication aims to standardize the conduct of Independence Day ceremonies in educational institutions. There is no indication of a broader ban on the song in other contexts, but the instruction serves to clarify the official order of operations for school-based events. The move is consistent with state-level efforts to maintain uniform protocols for national holidays, though the focus on the specific song choice highlights ongoing debates regarding national symbols and their usage in public institutions.