Government directives issued on Wednesday require that all six stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram be rendered at schools and official functions, expanding the practice that had limited public performance to the first two stanzas.The revised guidelines state that the complete composition must be played before the national anthem at government events, educational institutions and formal ceremonies, with attendees required to stand during its rendition. The move alters long-standing protocol under which only the opening verses, which celebrate the motherland in largely geographic and cultural imagery, were used at public functions, while later verses invoking Goddess Durga were generally omitted.
Officials described the change as an effort to ensure what they termed a fuller representation of the song’s literary and historical significance. The directive follows consultations within cultural and education departments and is expected to be implemented across central government institutions, with states advised to adopt similar measures.
Vande Mataram, written in the late nineteenth century by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and included in his novel Anandamath, played a central role in the freedom movement. It was accorded the status of the national song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950, alongside the national anthem Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore. While the anthem enjoys constitutional recognition and a defined protocol, the national song does not carry the same legal framework, leaving its performance largely governed by convention and administrative orders.
The first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, which describe the land as fertile and beautiful, have long been viewed as broadly inclusive. The subsequent stanzas, however, contain imagery equating the motherland with Hindu goddesses such as Durga and Lakshmi. Over decades, sections of Muslim organisations and some secular groups have argued that compulsory singing of those verses could conflict with their religious beliefs, as the imagery may be interpreted as deifying the nation.
Past controversies over the song have surfaced at various points, particularly around centenary celebrations and education policy debates. In 2006, discussions on making its rendition compulsory in schools prompted objections from minority groups, leading authorities at the time to clarify that participation would not be enforced in a manner that infringed individual conscience.
The latest directive appears to go further in prescribing uniform observance, though legal experts note that administrative guidelines cannot override constitutional protections relating to freedom of religion and expression. Courts have previously upheld the right of students to abstain from singing the national anthem on religious grounds, provided they show respect by standing. Whether similar principles would apply to the national song could become a matter of judicial scrutiny if challenges arise.
Political reactions have been swift. Leaders from ruling party ranks welcomed the decision, framing it as a reaffirmation of cultural heritage and national unity. They argue that the song’s complete form reflects the spirit of the independence movement and should be honoured in its entirety.
Opposition figures, meanwhile, questioned both the timing and the necessity of the move. Some described it as an attempt to foreground majoritarian symbolism in civic spaces, while others cautioned against measures that could deepen social divisions. Educationists expressed concern about how the directive would be implemented in diverse classrooms and whether schools would be provided with clear guidance to address potential objections.
Scholars of modern history point out that debates over Vande Mataram date back more than a century. Even during the freedom struggle, leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru recognised sensitivities surrounding certain verses. The Constituent Assembly eventually decided to retain the song’s honour while ensuring that the anthem would serve as the primary symbol at official ceremonies.
Cultural commentators note that the distinction between the anthem and the national song has often been misunderstood in public discourse. The anthem is governed by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act and detailed protocols issued by the Home Ministry. Vande Mataram, by contrast, has no statutory backing mandating its performance, although various state governments have issued circulars over the years encouraging its rendition on specific occasions.
Implementation will require logistical adjustments. Schools may need to procure authorised recordings of the full composition and ensure students are familiar with all six stanzas. Government departments organising public events will have to revise programmes to accommodate the expanded rendition before the anthem, potentially lengthening formal ceremonies.