New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry issued new guidelines for ‘Vande Mataram’ on Wednesday morning, stating that people need to stand to attention if the official version of the national song is sung or played at all government events and in all schools. The new rules also encouraged mass singing and said that all six stanzas, including the four removed by the Congress in 1937, will be played.
As per the new rule, ‘Vande Mataram’ will also be played at civilian awards ceremonies, like the Padma awards, and all other functions attended by the President, during their arrival and departure. It need not, however, be played in cinemas.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in its guidelines, further stated that the national song will be played immediately before and after the President addresses the nation over All India Radio and TV, and on the arrival of the Governor/Lieutenant Governor at formal state functions.
Vande Mataram will also be played on the unfurling of the national flag, on cultural occasions or ceremonial functions other than parades. It will also be played on any other occasion for which special orders are issued by the Centre, the MHA order stated.
The ministry said that in all schools, the day’s work may begin with community singing of the national song. School authorities should make adequate provision in their programmes, it added.
The MHA guidelines also stated that whenever the national song is played in the course of a newsreel or documentary, the audience is not expected to stand, as standing could “interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the national song”.
When the national song and the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ are sung or played, national song will be sung or played first, the MHA guidelines clarified.