Strictly comply with Vande Mataram directive, says govt., Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed states and central ministries to ensure Vande Mataram is played before Jana Gana Mana at all official events.
• The directive, issued via a letter on July 9, emphasizes strict compliance with the specified order and correct rendition of both the National Song and National Anthem.
• The Union Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, to include Vande Mataram as a protected national symbol.
• This amendment aims to make any insult or obstruction to the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offense, similar to existing provisions for the National Anthem.

Detailed Insights:

• The MHA's recent communication reiterates earlier instructions from February 6, which advised that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung or played at official events.
• Vande Mataram, penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and featured in his novel Anandamath (1882), was officially adopted as the National Song by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950.
• Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted as the National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on the same date, January 24, 1950.
• The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, currently provides legal protection against disrespect to the National Flag, the Constitution of India, and the National Anthem, with penalties including imprisonment up to three years or a fine.
• The proposed Bill to amend this Act is expected to be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, extending similar legal safeguards to the National Song.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Vande Mataram: India's National Song, an iconic patriotic poem written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, symbolizing the motherland.
• Jana Gana Mana: India's National Anthem, composed by Rabindranath Tagore, representing the nation's unity and diversity.
• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: A parliamentary act that criminalizes intentional disrespect towards India's national symbols.
• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): The central government body responsible for internal security and the enforcement of laws related to national symbols.