MHA issues fresh guidelines on National Anthem, Vande Mataram and state songs

New Delhi: The Union home ministry has issued fresh directives on singing the National Song, National Anthem, state song and foreign anthems.

The directives also contain details on events, official functions and mass singing of both the National Song and National Anthem. "Whenever the anthem is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention. However, when in the course of a newsreel or documentary the anthem is played as part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand, as standing may interrupt the exhibition of the film and may create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the anthem."

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In a 12-page detailed order, the MHA stated, "In some states, the state song is also sung and played along with the national anthem and national song. It is stated that whenever the state song is sung or played with the National Song and National Anthem, both the National Song and National Anthem shall be sung or played together, and the National song will be sung or played first followed by the National Anthem."

On foreign anthems, the order sent to states and UTs, noted, "At receptions to foreign dignitaries in India at which the giving of national salute has been prescribed, full version of the National Anthem of the visiting dignitary's country should be played first, followed by the full version of the National Anthem of India." The song 'Vande Mataram' written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee is known as the National Song while the late poet Rabindra Nath Tagore's 'Jana-Gana-Mana' is the National Anthem.

It laid down the procedure for cultural festivals and other events, "At dramatic, film or other cultural festivals organised by a diplomatic or consular representative of a foreign country in India, the National Anthem of the foreign country may be played with the National Anthem of India. The foreign anthem should be played first followed immediately by the Indian Anthem."

At functions arranged by foreign missions for celebrating their national days, the National Anthem of the country holding the function may be played or sung. On these events, if the President of India is represented by a chief guest not below the rank of a Cabinet minister of the Centre or by the LG of Delhi (if the function is held in Delhi), the National Anthem of India may be played first followed by the National Anthem of the country hosting the function. This procedure will also be followed if the function includes proposing of the toasts to heads of states, the order stated.

On hoisting of the national flag, MHA stated, "It has been left to the good sense of the people not to indulge in indiscriminate singing or playing of the anthem."