President Droupadi Murmu Independence Day Speech: President Droupadi Murmu’s Independence Day address on Friday was preceded by the full six-stanza rendition of Vande Mataram, followed by the National
Anthem, marking a significant change in the ceremonial proceedings.
This comes days after President Murmu gave her assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, giving Vande Mataram the same statutory legal protection as the National Anthem. The law makes intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the National Song punishable.
The Centre’s updated protocol provides for the complete six-stanza version of Vande Mataram at specified official functions. When the national song and national anthem are performed together, Vande Mataram is to be played first, followed by Jana Gana Mana.
The change comes as India marks 150 years of Vande Mataram, which has a historic association with the country’s freedom movement. The government is holding year-long commemorative programmes to mark the milestone.
Vande Mataram At Independence Day Celebrations
The new protocol is also being reflected in this year’s Independence Day ceremonies. For the first time, Vande Mataram is being included before the National Anthem at the Red Fort ceremony on August 15.
The sequence places the national song at the centre of this year’s Independence Day celebrations, while the national anthem continues to retain its established place in the ceremony.
The development comes against the backdrop of the recent legislation and the government’s year-long commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
