he Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued fresh directions to all state governments, Union Territory (UT) administrations and central ministries, reiterating the rules governing the singing and playing of the National Anthem and the National Song and calling for their strict compliance.
In a communication issued on July 9, the MHA wrote to the chief secretaries and administrators of all states and UTs, as well as secretaries of all ministries and departments of the Central government, enclosing the existing orders relating to the National Song and the National Anthem. The ministry said the orders contain an exhaustive list of occasions on which the National Anthem and the National Song are required to be sung or played, as well as occasions where they may be sung or played. They also specify instances where both are to be rendered during the same programme, including at the beginning and the end of an event.
MHA clarifies order of performance
The MHA reiterated that “whenever both the National Song and the National Anthem are performed together, the National Song must be sung or played first, followed by the National Anthem.” It further clarified that in states where a state song is also rendered, “state song is also sung and played along with Nationa Anthem and National Song. “It is stated that whenever state song is sung or played with National Song and National Anthem, both the National Song and an Anthem shall be sung or played together; and National Song will be sung or played first followed by National Anthem.”
Correct rendition stressed
The ministry also stressed that the correct script, text, diction and pronunciation of both the National Song and the National Anthem must be followed strictly while rendering them. To facilitate compliance, the MHA said the authentic text as well as the correct pronunciation of the National Song and the National Anthem are available on the ministry’s website.
Call for strict compliance
The ministry requested all state governments, Union Territory administrations and central ministries to issue suitable instructions to institutions and organisations under their jurisdiction to ensure strict adherence to the prescribed norms. “It is requested that suitable instructions in this regard may please be issued to all concerned institutions and organisations under your jurisdiction, for strict compliance,” reads the communication.
Copies of the communication were also marked to the President’s Secretariat, Vice-President’s Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat, Election Commission of India, Parliament Secretariats, Supreme Court, High Courts, NITI Aayog and other constitutional and government bodies.
The communication also mentioned that the Central government has, from time to time, issued orders relating to the National Anthem and National Song of India.