National Protocol Update: Full Version of Vande Mataram to Precede National Anthem at Ceremonies

Following the Centre’s new guidelines on rendering Vande Mataram in its full six-stanza form at official events, political reactions have started pouring in. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Anurag Bhadauria said the decision itself is not objectionable and that there is no issue with singing the complete national song. However, he added that the government should focus equally on “real national concerns” such as farmers’ distress, unemployment, inflation, and women’s safety. Bhadauria also pointed out that during the Constituent Assembly debates, only selected portions of the song were adopted in practice, suggesting that earlier leaders had made those decisions with careful consideration. Still, he clarified that his party is not opposing the move. On the other hand, BJP spokesperson Dr. Ajay Alok termed the decision a “welcome and historic step” that should have been implemented decades ago. He argued that respecting both the national song and the national anthem should not be controversial and said standing in attention for all six stanzas reflects national pride. The debate briefly turned political, with accusations of appeasement and counter-accusations of diverting attention from governance issues. Overall, while criticism exists, no outright opposition to the directive was expressed.

Go to Source