New Delhi, Feb 11: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued new guidelines on Wednesday morning, instructing that the national song, Vande Mataram, must be played before the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, at all government events and in schools.

The guidelines stipulate that, "When the National Song and the National Anthem are sung or played, the National Song will be sung or played first." Additionally, the new rules require that all attendees stand when Vande Mataram is played, unless it is part of a film, newsreel, or documentary, where standing is not necessary to avoid disrupting the viewing experience.

The revised protocols also extend to ceremonial occasions. Vande Mataram, with its six stanzas and duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds, must now be played at significant events such as civilian awards ceremonies (like the Padma awards), official functions, the arrival and departure of the President, the unfurling of the national flag, and speeches by Governors. The song will also be played in public spaces, including cinema halls.

In a related development, sources revealed that the government plans to extend existing protocols under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act to Vande Mataram. The Act, which currently protects the national anthem, prescribes a maximum jail sentence of three years for anyone who disrupts or disrespects the national anthem, and will now apply to Vande Mataram as well.

Guidelines on Playing National Song and National Anthem:

National Song (Vande Mataram):

·Unfurling of the Tricolour

·Arrival and departure of the President at official events

·Before and after the President's address to the nation

·Arrival and departure of Governors/Lieutenant Governors at state functions

·Civil investitures and military parades

·When the national flag is brought on parade

·Public spaces like cinema halls

Protocol:

Audiences must stand at attention

Mass singing encouraged

National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana):

National salute to the President, Governors, or Lieutenant Governors

Parades and formal state or Union Territory functions

Before and after the President’s address

Sports events, diplomatic receptions, and national ceremonies

Protocol:

Audiences must stand at attention during mass singing

Should not be sung or played indiscriminately