The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) administration has found itself in an awkward spot after only two stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung before Thursday’s general body meeting, with Mayor Neeta Thakre seeking an inquiry and action against those responsible.The incident comes amid the political row between the BJP and Congress over the rendition of the national song. The Congress Working Committee recently decided to restrict its singing at party events to the first two stanzas, drawing criticism from the BJP.The BJP-controlled NMC general body met at the District Planning Bhavan on Thursday. Singing Vande Mataram before House proceedings is a customary practice.Congress corporator Abhijeet Jha alleged that only two stanzas were played. He also said the House initially failed to pay tribute to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his birthday on August 20, and members had to be reminded. NMC officials said a formal tribute had already been paid at the civic headquarters earlier in the morning.The controversy deepened after civic officials gave conflicting explanations over who was responsible for the rendition.Municipal secretary Ranjana Lade said the matter fell under the Sports and Cultural Department. “This is the work of the Sports and Cultural Officer. This is not the first time that only two stanzas have been played; this has been a tradition for a long time. However, we have sought an explanation from the Sports and Cultural Officer,” she said.Sports Officer Piyush Ambulkar, however, said the responsibility rested with the civic secretariat. “This is the responsibility of Sachivalaya. Our responsibility is only on August 15 and January 26. On August 15, we played the entire song in the premises,” he said.Story continues below this adThakre has now written to NMC Commissioner Vipin Itankar, calling for an inquiry and action against those responsible. In her letter, she said Vande Mataram had been an important source of inspiration during the freedom struggle and that “due respect and discipline” were expected while rendering it.The mayor termed the partial rendition at an important official meeting “inappropriate” and asked the commissioner to determine why action should not be taken against those responsible.She has also sought a clear procedure for the rendition of the National Anthem and Vande Mataram at NMC meetings, saying this would prevent such an incident from being repeated.Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:Vande Mataram