Protocol for
Singing Vande Mataram and National Anthem
Prelims:
Indian Polity,
History
Mains:
GS Paper II-Polity
& Governance, GS Paper I-Modern Indian History
Current
relevance:
The
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all States and Union
Ministries to strictly comply with the protocol that Vande
Mataram (National Song) must be sung or played before Jana Gana Mana
(National Anthem) whenever both are performed at official events.
Highlights:
1. The directive reiterates
that:
·
If
both Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana are performed at an
official event, Vande Mataram must precede the National Anthem.
·
The
officially prescribed text, script, pronunciation, and tune must be
followed.
·
The
Ministry has requested Chief Secretaries of States and Secretaries of
Union Ministries to issue suitable instructions to all institutions and
organizations under their jurisdiction for uniform compliance.
2.
Historical
Background:
·
Vande
Mataram was
written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and first appeared in his novel Anandamath,
published in 1882.
·
The
song became one of the most powerful symbols of India’s freedom struggle,
inspiring nationalist movements, particularly during the Swadeshi Movement
(1905–08) following the Partition of Bengal.
·
In
1937, the Indian National Congress resolved that only the first
two stanzas of Vande Mataram would be used at its official gatherings,
considering them universally acceptable.
·
After
Independence,
the Constituent Assembly, on January 24, 1950, adopted Jana Gana Mana
as the National Anthem while according Vande Mataram the status
and honour of the National Song.
3.
Significance:
·
Reinforces
uniform observance of national symbols across the country.
·
Preserves
the historical and cultural significance of Vande Mataram in India’s freedom movement.
·
Promotes
respect for officially recognized national symbols while ensuring
standardized rendition at government functions.
Source: THE HINDU - https://www.pressreader.com/foryou?popupArticleId=281702621468126