{ IN WEST BENGAL } Directive on ‘Vande Mataram’ sparks row

The Centre’s directive mandating that all six stanzas of the national song, ‘Vande Mataram’, be sung before the national anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’, at official functions has triggered a sharp political face-off in West Bengal ahead of the assembly elections.

- Press Trust of India

While the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has described the order as an attempt to “diminish” Rabindranath Tagore and stoke symbolism for electoral gains the Congress has dubbed ita “divisive ploy”, and the BJP has countered that it is merely correcting a historical wrong and restoring full honour to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s song.

Inan order dated January 28 and formally notified on Wednesday, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said that when the national song and the national anthem are rendered together, ‘Vande Mataram’ must precede ‘Jana Gana Mana’.