The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has formalized a significant change to the protocol of the National Song, ordering that a six-stanza version of Vande Mataram lasting 3 minutes and 10 seconds must be performed at official events. This directive, sent to all states and ministries on January 28, replaces the previous practice of using only the first two stanzas and establishes clear rules for its performance and duration. In a notable shift in etiquette, the order specifies that if both Vande Mataram and the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, are played during the same program, the National Song must be played first. Furthermore, the public is now required to stand at attention whenever this official version is sung or played, bringing its protocol closer to that of the National Anthem.
The new mandate classifies occasions into three distinct levels of participation. For high-level state functions such as civil investiture ceremonies and the arrival of the President or Governors, the song must be played, often preceded by a drum roll of seven slow marching beats to signal the audience. For other ceremonial functions like the unfurling of the national flag, the order requires mass singing supported by trained choirs and printed lyrics. Additionally, the government has encouraged its use in school assemblies and events attended by dignitaries, though these are not strictly ceremonial.
This standardisation follows a period of debate regarding the historical context of the song, which was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s. While the Indian National Congress originally adopted only the first two stanzas in 1937 to ensure inclusivity within India’s plural society, the current administration has sought to restore the longer version to honor its original spirit from the freedom struggle. This move coincides with the 150th anniversary of the song and reflects a broader effort to elevate its status in public life, moving away from the varying practices that existed prior to this formal order.
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