There has been news of the Home Ministry issuing new rules and guidelines regarding the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ in the country. Under the new provisions, clear rules have now been set regarding singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ in public, government and educational programs. The biggest change is that now in the programs it has been said that all the 6 stanzas of the national anthem should be sung or played. For this, the duration of official singing has been fixed at 3 minutes 10 seconds. At the same time, if both ‘Vande Mataram’ and the national anthem are to be presented in a program, then ‘Vande Mataram’ will be sung first and then Jana Gana Mana.
In these new guidelines, rules regarding respect for the song have also been mentioned. When ‘Vande Mataram’ is played in any meeting or government program, the people present will have to stand at attention in respect. However, there will be no compulsion to stand when this song is played during the film in the cinema hall, documentary or newsreel. Apart from this, instructions have been given to start the day by collectively singing ‘Vande Mataram’ in schools. Provisions related to legal protection have also been given by the government for this.
What are the new rules?
Under the new rules, all six stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ will be sung or played in programs and the duration of its official singing has been fixed at 3 minutes 10 seconds. In programs where both the national anthem and the national anthem will be presented, ‘Vande Mataram’ will be sung first and then Jana Gana Mana. People will have to stand in respect when ‘Vande Mataram’ is played in government and public programs.
Legal protection will also be available
In schools, instructions have been given to start the day collectively by singing ‘Vande Mataram’. However, it will not be necessary for people to stand when this song is played during a film in a cinema hall, documentary or newsreel. In the guidelines, it has been said that ‘Vande Mataram’ will be given legal protection like the national anthem. It is claimed that under the Prevention of Insults to National Honor (Amendment) Act, 2026, if any person deliberately stops the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ or obstructs it in any gathering, he can be punished with jail up to 3 years, fine or both.
