In a significant policy decision, the Union Home Ministry has issued fresh guidelines making it mandatory to play the national song Vande Mataram before the national anthem Jana Gana Mana at all government functions and in educational institutions across the country. The new directive also requires everyone present to stand as a mark of respect while the national song is being played.
Under the revised rules, Vande Mataram will now be included in key state ceremonies, including civilian honour events such as the Padma awards. It will also be played at official programmes attended by the President of India, both at the time of arrival and departure. In addition, the national song is to be played in public venues like cinema halls, although standing up in such places will not be compulsory.
One of the most notable aspects of the new order is the restoration of all six original stanzas of Vande Mataram. The four verses that were set aside in 1937 will now be part of the official version to be performed. With this move, the song will be rendered in its complete form at designated events.
Government sources have also indicated that there has been consideration of bringing Vande Mataram under the ambit of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. The law currently provides for punishment, including a possible jail term of up to three years, for acts that disrupt or prevent others from showing respect to the national anthem. If extended, similar provisions could apply to the national song as well.
The decision is likely to spark renewed political debate. The issue had previously generated sharp exchanges between the BJP and the Congress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier accused former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of objecting to certain portions of the song, claiming concerns were raised that some verses might offend sections of the Muslim community. The BJP had cited historical correspondence to support its stand, leading to heated discussions in Parliament during commemorative events related to the song’s legacy.
The Congress, on the other hand, has countered such claims, alleging that the matter is being politicised. Senior party leaders have argued that the BJP and its ideological allies are selectively interpreting history. They have also accused the ruling party of raising the issue at sensitive political moments, including ahead of major state elections.
Originally composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 and later included in his novel Anandmath, Vande Mataram played a powerful role during India’s freedom movement. The first two stanzas were adopted as the national song in 1950. With the latest directive, the government has signalled a renewed emphasis on the song’s full version and formal protocol in public life.
