Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a directive mandating the playing of the complete three-minute-10-second version of “Vande Mataram” at official state functions, including flag-hoisting ceremonies, the arrival of the President, and Governors’ addresses. The directive also instructs audiences to stand at attention during the song and encourages mass participation in singing.
According to the protocol clarification, if “Vande Mataram” is played alongside the National Anthem, it will precede “Jana Gana Mana.” The move fills a long-standing gap in official ceremonial guidelines, which had traditionally limited public rendition to the first two stanzas due to historical and political sensitivities.
Supporters of the directive have welcomed it as a symbolic reclamation of India’s cultural and nationalist heritage, noting that the song—composed in the 1870s—played a central role in the freedom movement. They argue that restoring the full version to ceremonial prominence strengthens national identity and historical continuity.
However, the decision is expected to trigger political debate, particularly ahead of the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram” in 2025, with critics warning of potential cultural and ideological polarisation. Analysts say the move may be seen both as a cultural assertion and a political statement in the evolving discourse on national symbols.
-OdishaAge
