The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India has taken an important step regarding the respect of the national symbols of the country and the protocols related to them. The ministry has issued new and stringent instructions to all state governments, administrators of union territories and all ministries of the central government.
In this new order, it has been clearly stated that whatever rules are related to singing and playing the national anthem (Jana Gana Mana) and national song (Vande Mataram) in the country, they should be strictly followed under all circumstances.
The complete list of rules has been sent again in this official letter sent by the Home Ministry on July 9. It clearly states on which occasions the National Anthem must be compulsorily sung or played, and where it can be presented as an option. Apart from this, there is a tradition of presenting both together in many programs, rules have been clarified for that also.
National anthem will always be sung or played first – Ministry
The Ministry has specifically emphasized that “whenever both the National Song and the National Anthem are being presented simultaneously in any programme, the National Song (Vande Mataram) shall always be sung or played first. It shall be immediately followed by the presentation of the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana).” Additionally, confusion has also been resolved for states that have their own official state songs. The ministry said that even if the state anthem is being sung in any state, the national song and the national anthem will be kept together, in which the prescribed arrangement of singing the national song first and then the national anthem will be followed.
Any kind of negligence will not be accepted
Another important thing that is said in this instruction is the correctness of pronunciation. The Home Ministry has clarified that while singing the national anthem and national songs, the correct text, rhythm and pronunciation of the words should be absolutely accurate. Any kind of negligence will not be accepted in this. The correct text and correct pronunciation of both have also been uploaded on the official website of the Home Ministry for the help of people and institutions. The ministry has asked all the states and departments to send these rules to all the schools, colleges and organizations under them so that they can be strictly followed on the ground.