An embarrassing moment unfolded for the Congress in Kerala after the national anthem was sung with incorrect lyrics during the party’s 140th foundation day celebrations, an error that went uncorrected despite the presence of senior leaders.
The incident took place at the headquarters of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, where party leaders and workers had gathered to mark the anniversary. As leaders stood up for the anthem, the opening line was mistakenly rendered as “Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he” instead of the correct “Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka jaya he”.
A video of the episode soon surfaced on social media, sparking widespread criticism and political backlash. The footage shows senior leaders standing through the anthem without intervening or correcting the error, allowing the incorrect version to be completed.
Among those present at the event were former Union Minister A K Antony, along with other senior Congress figures, making the lapse particularly awkward for the party.
Opposition parties and social media users were quick to criticise the incident, questioning how such a mistake could occur at a formal political event attended by experienced leaders. The episode has once again raised questions about protocol and attentiveness during official observances.
This was not an isolated occurrence. Earlier this year, a similar incident involving the incorrect rendition of the national anthem was reported at another Congress function, which had also drawn sharp public reaction after video clips went viral.
The Congress leadership has so far not issued any official response to the controversy.
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