The central government has issued new guidelines regarding ‘Vande Mataram’, under which it will now be mandatory for all present to stand in its honor, when it is played at any government event or other formal occasion, just as is done in respect of the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
According to the order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the six-stanza, 3-minute and 10-second version of ‘Vande Mataram’ as the National Song will be played before the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’, in order to convey a clear message of national respect and sentiment.
However, cinema halls have been kept out of these directives, and playing ‘Vande Mataram’ or standing before the start of a film will not be mandatory.
‘Vande Mataram’ to Receive ‘National Anthem’-Like Respect
Under the new provisions, ‘Vande Mataram’ will be played on occasions such as the hoisting of the Tricolour, the arrival of the President, before and after the President’s address to the nation, before and after the arrival and speeches of Governors, and at civilian award ceremonies, such as the Padma Awards (where the President is present).
The government says that the purpose of these guidelines is to establish a clear and uniform protocol regarding the respect for the National Song.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Lok Sabha on December 8, 2025, on the completion of 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, had stated that the song was a strong reply to the British and continues to be a source of inspiration even today.
Referring to Mahatma Gandhi, he said, “Gandhiji was fond of this song and saw it as the national anthem.” The Prime Minister questioned why “injustice” was done to the song in the past decades and “which force placed itself above Bapu’s sentiments.”
‘Vande Mataram’ and the Alleged ‘Secular’ Outcry
Controversy over ‘Vande Mataram’ has surfaced from time to time. Last year, some Muslim organizations opposed the recitation of the song.
During the Winter Session of Parliament, the BJP accused Congress of reducing the original six-stanza song to a single stanza under appeasement politics.
At present, as the National Song, only the first two of its six stanzas are officially sung. The remaining portions mention Maa Durga and certain Hindu goddesses, which have been objected to by some groups.
The BJP also cited letters written in 1937 by then leader Jawaharlal Nehru, in which he had indicated that certain lines of the song could make Muslims uncomfortable. During the debate on this issue, BJP president JP Nadda emphasized that the National Song should receive the same status and respect as the National Anthem and the National Flag.
Meanwhile, Congress countered by alleging that the renewed emphasis on ‘Vande Mataram’ was being driven with the upcoming West Bengal elections in mind and that it was being turned into a political issue.
Thus, ‘Vande Mataram’ is no longer merely a cultural or historical symbol, but has also become the center of political discourse. While the central government’s new directives grant it greater formal prominence, its political significance has deepened further in the backdrop of the Bengal elections.
The current situation is that ‘Vande Mataram’ holds the status of the National Song, but in practice only its first two stanzas are commonly sung.
After the government’s latest decision, it will be interesting to see what impact it has at the national level and how the issue unfolds in electoral politics, especially when West Bengal Assembly elections are just weeks away.