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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued fresh guidelines to States and government bodies regarding the sequence, occasions, and manner of rendering the National Song and National Anthem at official events.

1. Sequence of Play

• If both are played at the same event, Vande Mataram (National Song) must be sung/played first.
• It shall be followed by Jana Gana Mana (National Anthem).
• This establishes a clear ceremonial order of precedence.

2. Mandatory Respect

• The audience must stand to attention when the official version of Vande Mataram (approx. 3 minutes 10 seconds) is sung or played.
• However, if it is played as part of a newsreel, documentary, or film, the audience is not required to stand, as this may disrupt the screening.

3. Occasions for Playing Vande Mataram

The National Song is mandated at specific high-level functions:

• Presidential/Gubernatorial Events: On arrival and departure of the President or Governor/Lieutenant Governor at formal State functions.
• Presidential Addresses: Immediately before and after the President’s address to the nation on All India Radio or television.
• Flag Ceremonies: When the National Flag is brought on parade.
• Cultural/Ceremonial Functions: During unfurling of the National Flag (other than parades).

4. Musical Protocol

• When played by a band, it must be preceded by a roll of drums to alert the audience.

5. Instructions for Schools

• Schools may begin the day with community singing of the National Song.
• Authorities are directed to promote both the National Song and Anthem to foster respect for national symbols.

These instructions align with Article 51A(a) of the Constitution, which makes it a Fundamental Duty to respect the Constitution, National Flag, and National Anthem. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention a National Song, its respect is institutionally recognized.

About Vande Mataram

Origin and Composition

• Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
• First published in Bangadarshan (1875).
• Later included in the novel Anandamath (1882).
• Set to music by Rabindranath Tagore.
• Written in Sanskritized Bengali.

National Status

• On 24 January 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad announced that while Jana Gana Mana would be the National Anthem, Vande Mataram would be honoured equally for its historic role in the freedom struggle.
• The Constitution does not explicitly mention a National Song.

Role in the Freedom Movement

• 1896: Sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.
• 1905 (Varanasi Session): Adopted for all-India occasions.
• 7 August 1905: First used as a political slogan during anti-partition protests at Calcutta Town Hall.
• Became the rallying cry of the Swadeshi Movement against the Partition of Bengal.
• Lord Curzon ordered arrests for singing it due to its mobilising power.

Revolutionary and International Influence

• 1907: Madam Bhikaji Cama unfurled a tricolour flag at Stuttgart, Germany, bearing the words “Vande Mataram.”
• 1909: Madan Lal Dhingra reportedly uttered “Bande Mataram” before execution in England.
• 1912: Gopal Krishna Gokhale was welcomed in Cape Town with chants of “Vande Mataram.”

Jana Gana Mana

Origin and Composition

• Written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911.
• First stanza of the five-stanza poem Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata.
• Originally written in Bengali (Sadhu Bhasha).

First Rendition

• First sung publicly on 27 December 1911 at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.

Official Adoption

• Adopted as the National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.

Translation and Versions

• Translated into English by Tagore at Madanapalle (Andhra Pradesh) as “The Morning Song of India.”
• A Hindustani version titled Subh Sukh Chain was prepared under Subhas Chandra Bose for the Indian National Army.

Supreme Court Ruling (2005)

• A petition seeking replacement of the word “Sindh” with “Kashmir” was rejected.
• The Court held that “Sindh” represents cultural heritage, not merely territorial reference.

Unique Distinction

Rabindranath Tagore is the only individual to have written national anthems of two countries:

• India – Jana Gana Mana
• Bangladesh – Amar Sonar Bangla