Union Home Ministry considering rules like those for ‘Jana Gana Mana’ to be applied to ‘Vande Mataram’

If rules are imposed, standing during the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ will become mandatory !

New Delhi – As 150 years have been completed since the composition of ‘Vande Mataram’, the Union Home Ministry is considering whether the rules that apply to the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ should also be applied to ‘Vande Mataram’.

Article 51(A) of the Constitution lays down the duty of citizens to respect the National Anthem. However, at present, there is no legal provision that makes it mandatory for people to stand or participate during the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’.

Petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court and various High Courts demanding that the rules applicable to the National Anthem should also be enforced for ‘Vande Mataram’. However, the government has clarified that these rules apply only to ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and not to ‘Vande Mataram’.