New directive on Vande Mataram

The Union Home Ministry has directed that all six stanzas of the National Song Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, shall be sung first when the National Song and the National Anthem Jan Gana Man are to be played together.

- PTI

On January 28, the ministry issued the first set of protocols for singing the National Song. It said the six stanzas, with a duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds, shall be sung at official functions such as the arrival of the President, unfurling of the tricolour and speeches of governors.

"When the National Song and the National Anthem are sung or played, the National Song will be sung or played first," the order read.

The ministry said the assembly where the National Song is sung shall stand in attention.

"Whenever the official version of the National Song is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention. However, when in the course of a newsreel or documentary the National Song is played as a part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the National Song," it said.