Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Congress MLAs outside the Himachal Pradesh Assembly in Shimla on Friday. (ANI)The opening day of the monsoon session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on Friday was washed out amid an uproar over the singing of the National Song, Vande Mataram. The House was adjourned for the day within 11 minutes of the beginning of the proceedings.The session began with the National Anthem, after which BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar demanded that Vande Mataram should be sung and sought permission from Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania to raise the issue.Parmar also accused the Congress of “insulting” the National Song by deciding to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram at its events. He said the Centre has enacted a new law making it mandatory to sing the full version of the National Song first whenever Vande Matram and the National Anthem are performed together.Pathania, who was about to read the obituary references, said that the provision concerning the singing of the National Song has been introduced by the Centre for government events and did not directly apply to the proceedings of the Vidhan Sabha. Citing convention, he said it was a long-standing practice that House proceedings begin with the National Anthem, while the National Song is sung at the conclusion of the session. Parmar further said that in keeping with the tradition, Assembly sessions will begin with Jana Gana Mana and conclude with Vande Mataram.Urging the Opposition to cooperate, he said that the first day is reserved for obituary references and paying tribute to departed members and assured that the full version of Vande Mataram would be sung at the conclusion of the session.The explanation, however, failed to cut ice with the Opposition members who started raising slogans against the ruling Congress. From treasury benches, Congress MLA Kewal Singh attacked the Opposition. He, along with other Congress members raised slogans against the BJP and accused the Opposition of disrespecting the National Anthem. Amid the face-off, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.Outside the House, Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Cabinet ministers Rajesh Dharmani, Vikramaditya Singh, state Congress chief Vinay Kumar, raised slogans against the BJP.Story continues below this adSukhu alleged that the BJP MLAs insulted the National Anthem by raising objections regarding the tradition of singing it before the National Song. He said a controversy over the national song is being “manufactured” and it has caused resentment among the public. He urged the BJP not to “stoop to such a low level of politics” that the issue of respecting national symbols becomes a subject of political confrontation. He also accused the BJP of blowing the National Song controversy out of proportion to divert public attention from issues like inflation, NEET paper leak, corruption, and increase in sugar prices.Meanwhile, Pathania said, “The House is supreme. The Vidhan Sabha runs as per convention. Today was the first day of the monsoon session. As per the set precedent and convention, the obituaries of legislators who have passed away are read. The Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha function as per their respective rules. In the Lok Sabha too, the National Anthem is sung first; the same convention will be followed here… the House is not bound to any authority.”Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... 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