Centre’s New Guidelines on ‘Vande Mataram’

Source: TOI

Subject: Polity

Context: The Union Government has issued fresh guidelines mandating the singing of all six stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ at official functions. The order coincides with the 150th anniversary of the song’s creation.

About Centre’s New Guidelines on ‘Vande Mataram’:

What it is?

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified the official version of ‘Vande Mataram’, requiring that all six stanzas of the original composition by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee be sung at specified government functions.

• The directive formalises the complete rendition of the national song and prescribes the protocol for its performance.

Ministry Involved: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India

Key Features of the Guidelines:

• Official Version & Duration:

• All six stanzas must be sung as the official version. Total duration prescribed: 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

• All six stanzas must be sung as the official version.

• Total duration prescribed: 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

• Mandatory Occasions at the Union Level:

• To be played at civil investiture ceremonies and official state functions. To be played upon arrival and departure of the President of India. Before and after the President’s address broadcast on Akashwani and Doordarshan.

• To be played at civil investiture ceremonies and official state functions.

• To be played upon arrival and departure of the President of India.

• Before and after the President’s address broadcast on Akashwani and Doordarshan.

• State-Level Functions:

• To be played during arrival and departure of Governors or Lieutenant Governors at official state functions.

• Cultural and Flag-Hoisting Events:

• Mandatory group singing at cultural events and occasions involving flag hoisting. Morning assemblies of all schools must incorporate group singing.

• Mandatory group singing at cultural events and occasions involving flag hoisting.

• Morning assemblies of all schools must incorporate group singing.

• Protocols During Rendition:

• Audience must stand in attention posture when the song is played. Exception: Not mandatory in cinema halls when played as part of films or newsreels. A drumroll (mridang/trumpet) to precede the song. In marching drills, seven preparatory steps before commencement.

• Audience must stand in attention posture when the song is played.

• Exception: Not mandatory in cinema halls when played as part of films or newsreels.

• A drumroll (mridang/trumpet) to precede the song.

• In marching drills, seven preparatory steps before commencement.

• Informal Events:

• May be sung at informal functions attended by ministers.

Significance:

• Cultural Reaffirmation: Reinforces the historic and symbolic importance of Vande Mataram in India’s freedom movement.

• Standardisation of Protocol: Provides uniform guidelines across Union and State functions to avoid ambiguity.

• National Integration: Promotes collective participation in national symbols through schools and public events.