Story so far: On Saturday (August 15, 2026), India’s national song Vande Mataram will be sung from the ramparts of the Red fort — a historical first for the song. Crowning the completion of 150 years since Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay penned Vande Mataram in the literary magazine Bangadarshan as part of his novel Anandamath, the song will feature before the rendition of the National Anthem.

Announcing this decision on August 10, 2026, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said that as part of the celebrations, 2,500 NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers will form the words ‘Vande Mataram’ on Gyanpath opposite the Red Fort ramparts. An Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter will fly over the venue showering petals over the gathering and display a banner marking 150 years of the national song.

The move gains significance with the Pevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, which criminalises intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the National Song Vande Mataram, giving it the same legal protection as the National Anthem. The Act, which was critiqued by the Opposition for its “malintent”, mandates the rendition of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram at public gatherings, schools, and official government functions, among others. Moreover, it is to be rendered prior to Jana Gana Mana on all occasions when both are to be played or sung.

Bands of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, NCC, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, Assam Rifles, Integrated Defence Staff and Railway Protection Force, who are part of the Independence Day celebrations, have been issued specific instructions regarding playing of Vande Mataram. As per the government’s circular, a roll of drums must precede the National Song’s rendition to let the audience know. The roll which will be seven paces in slow march, is to start slowly, ascend to full volume and decrease to original softness but remain audible. After a beat’s rest, the National song will be played.

Vande Mataram’s journey so far

Vande Mataram’s recent elevation on par with Jana Gana Mana has seen many twists and turns.

First published in 1882 as part of Anandmath, Vande Mataram was written as part of the novel’s context of the Sannyasi rebellion against Muslim rule. In the novel, the author welcomed British rule and its positive potential India. As the song gained popularity during India’s final push against the British Raj, Basanta Koomar Roy translated the Bengali novel into English in 1941, removing all its communal aspects to suit the Indian independence movement. 

Prior to this, in 1937, a Congress sub-committee resolved to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram as the other stanzas glorified religion. The then-Congress President Jawaharlal Nehru had read the original 1906 translation, Abbey of Bliss and agreed that it may offend Muslims as it referred to the sanyasis’ ire against Muslim rulers for not protecting the Hindu’s caste system and urged villagers to set fire to the Muslim homes and pillage them.  

After top Congress leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad consented to shortening the song, that version was officially adopted in October 1937 in the party’s Calcutta meeting. Rabindranath Tagore, who first sang the song at the Congress’ 1896 session, too agreed that the newly-adopted version was more suitable for instilling patriotism in Indians seeking independence.

After India gained independence, Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee wrote to Nehru in 1948, advocating for the adoption of Vande Mataram as the National Anthem. His request was denied by Nehru who wrote, “I personally think that a song which represents poignant longing for freedom is not necessarily a song which fits in with the achievement of freedom. Jana Gana Mana has an element of triumph and fulfilment about it”. He also cited that Vande Mataram was not suitable for orchestral or band rendering due to its tune.

On January 24, 1950, President Rajendra Prasad announced that the Constituent Assembly had adopted Jana Gana Mana as the National Anthem and Vande Mataram as the National Song. He added that it would enjoy equal status as Jana Gana Mana due to its close association with the national struggle. Since then, rendition of Jana Gana Mana in official ceremonies has been the norm while Vande Mataram was selectively chosen according to the State governments.

On December 23, 1971, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, was passed. The Act stated that anyone who intentionally prevents the singing of the Indian National Anthem or causes a disturbance to any assembly engaged in singing it shall be punished with imprisonment extending up to three years, or a fine, or both. An amendment was added in 2003 which penalised repeat offences with one year of imprisonment. However, Vande Mataram was not accorded similar legal protections — a grouse held by the Jana Sangh and its successor Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In November 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of removing “crucial” verses of Vande Mataram in 1937, thus sowing the seeds for India’s partition. Kicking off the 150th year celebration of Vande Mataram, he pointed out that when the National Song completed a century (in 1975), Indian democracy reeled under its worst period — the Emergency, imposed by the Congress. His remarks led to a spirited debate in Parliament where both Centre and Opposition traded barbs of communalism, appeasement politics and dishonour to freedom fighters.

In the recently concluded monsoon session of Parliament, Vande Mataram was played in its entirety on the last day, when Home Minister Amit Shah and Mr. Modi made their appearance. A handful MPs were seen mouthing all six stanzas of the song. Vande Mataram’s journey has now come a full circle, from an invoking rebellion against rulers to be mandated by the rulers.

(With inputs from The Hindu archives)

Published - August 14, 2026 07:47 pm IST