For the first time, Vande Mataram will be played as part of the formal Independence Day ceremony at Delhi’s Red Fort on August 15, marking a significant change to the official programme.
According to Defence Ministry officials, the national song will be performed immediately before the national anthem at the conclusion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address. Invitation cards issued for the ceremony also carry the complete lyrics of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram.
First Formal Inclusion at Red Fort
The full programme for the 80th Independence Day celebrations is yet to be officially released. In previous years, the ceremony concluded with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, while patriotic songs were performed earlier in the morning by an NCC choir before the Prime Minister’s arrival.
Officials said the inclusion of Vande Mataram in the formal programme is intended to encourage attendees to sing along, noting that while most people know the national anthem, fewer are familiar with the national song.
Senior ministers, military officers, diplomats, bureaucrats, students and other distinguished guests are expected to attend the annual ceremony.
Amendment Bill Extends Legal Protection
The move comes just days after Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends to Vande Mataram the legal protection previously available only to the national anthem.
The Bill makes intentionally preventing the singing of the national song or disturbing an assembly engaged in its rendition punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both. A second conviction carries a minimum prison term of one year. The legislation is awaiting Presidential assent.
Debate Over Full Version of the Song
The invitation cards include all six stanzas of Vande Mataram. However, the government has not clarified whether the complete version or only the first two stanzas will be performed at the Red Fort ceremony.
The issue has remained politically contentious during the song’s 150th anniversary year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier said that significant portions of Vande Mataram were removed in 1937 and argued that the decision “sowed the seeds of Partition.” The Congress rejected the claim, pointing to Rabindranath Tagore’s view that only the opening two stanzas should be used for national purposes because later verses invoking Hindu deities could offend sections of society.
In October 1937, the Congress Working Committee resolved to retain only the first two stanzas for national use after considering Tagore’s advice.
Supreme Court Position
The Supreme Court, in its 1986 judgment in the Bijoe Emmanuel case, held that no person can be compelled to sing either the national anthem or the national song. The court ruled that standing respectfully in silence does not amount to disrespect.
