Defence Ministry to Play Full Vande Mataram at Independence Day Ceremony

New Delhi: The defence ministry has issued invitation cards for the 80th Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort featuring the lyrics of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, which will be played for the first time during the flag hoisting, officials said Friday. The song will precede the national anthem at the August 15 event, attended by ministers, military officers, bureaucrats, diplomats, students, and special guests. The move follows Parliament's passage last week of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making obstruction or insult to the national song a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in jail and a fine.

The law already protects the national flag, anthem, and Constitution. The change comes during the 150th year of the song, months after the Centre mandated rendition of all six stanzas, replacing the decades-old practice of singing only the first two adopted in 1950. People know the national anthem by heart, but few can sing the national song. The lyrics have been provided so that people can sing along, one official said. The cards also feature an image of Seva Teerth and a list of fundamental duties.