Our National Anthem – ‘Jan Gan Man’ and National Song – ‘Vande Mataram’

It seems sometimes very unfortunate that we are being taught the history, it importance of our national anthem ‘Jan Gana Mana’ by Ravindranath Tagore and our national song by ‘Bankimchandra Chatterji’. Both are from the Bengal, the part of our country who gave births of several patriotists who clasp and embrace death for achievement of their only goal to make our country free from thraldom of British.

National Anthem – As there are several incidents who has not respected to our national anthem – ‘Jan Gan Man’ and / or national song ‘Vande Mataram’ that can be said. It is news only when that is related to responsible and renown person having characteristic of ‘public figure’. That may be related to actress Kashish Khan and her friend, family who has been forced to leave cinema hall or Shashi Tharror the then Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development. This issue raise in my mind as there is complaint that Amitabh Bachchan who sing our ‘National Anthem’ incorrectly before India Vs Pakistan ICC World Twenty20 match. 

‘Jana Gana Mana Adhinayak Jaya He Bharat Bhagyavidhata’ which was firstly sung on 27 December, 1911 at Calcutta Session of Indian National Congress. That is accepted as national anthem of India on 24^th January, 1950 that was written by Ravindranath Tagore who has been awarded by Noble Prize for literature. 

It is our duty as expressed under Art. 51A of the Constitution that ‘It shall be the duty of every citizen of India – (a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem; ------- . It is true that it is expected to be our duty and also expected that when several rights are given by our Constitution to us, it would be just expectation believing on our conscious that we, citizens of India, will perform our duties properly with responsible accountability, expressing the trust in the answerability for the duties expressed in our Constitution. Are we proving ourselves to be irresponsible, untrustworthy, non-accountable in view of our Constitution that we ourselves accepted and abide ourselves? It is very unfortunate to state here that the answer seems to be ‘yes’ and that generally gave us by our conduct though our statements are exactly different and contrary to that.

Government of India issued directions on 11 March, 2016 regarding strict compliance of the provisions contained in the ‘Flag Code of India, 2002’ and ‘The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971’ and ensure that on important national, cultural and sports events Flag made of paper only are used by public in terms of the provisions of the ‘Flag Code of India’ and such paper Flags are not discarded or thrown on the ground after the event. Such Flags are to be disposed of in private consistent with the dignity of Flag with further expectations not to use national Flag made by plastic. The full version approximately takes 52 seconds and short version takes 20 seconds for playing. It is also expressed where the full version and short version shall be played in addition to the mass singing of Anthem. The further instructions are –

1.      Whenever the Anthem is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention. However, when in the course of a newsreel or documentary the Anthem is played as a part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of Anthem.

2.      As in the case of the flying of the National Flag, it has been left to the good sense of the people not to indulge in indiscriminate singing or playing of the Anthem.

National Song – The song ‘Vande Mataram’, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, was a source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom. It has an equal status with Jana-Gana-Mana, our National Anthem. The first political occasion when it was sung was the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. That was included in the immortal novel ‘Anandmath’ published in 1882. ‘Vande Mataram’ became the ultimate expressions of the patriots and revolutionaries, launched their movements for ‘Mother India / Bharat Mata’. The uttering of two words ‘Vande mataram’ had made able to suffer for rigorous punishment, wiping and canning. Those two innocent magic words were terrorised to ‘British’ and that become the symbol of India’s Freedom Struggle. Great Indian Classical Musician Pandit Vishu Digambar Paluskar played great role in popularising ‘Vande Mataram’ during freedom movement, he sung in Lahore and many places of our country with emotions and thrills that put the entire crowd in proud of ‘Bharat Mata’ ultimately resulting in ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jay’. That ‘National Song’ is – ‘Vande Mataram, Sujalam, Suphalam, Malayaja Shitalam, Sasyashyamalam, Mataram’

In Constituent Assembly of India – Vol XII on Tuesday, 24^th January, 1950 it is written when Mr. President (The Honourable Dr. Rajendra Prasad), in the Chair.

Shri Ratnappa Bharmappa Kurnbhar (Bombay States) and Dr. Y. S. Parmar (Himachal Pradesh) who were the members took the Pledge and signed the Register. Statement made by Mr. President: There is one matter which has been pending for discussion, namely the question of the National Anthem. At one time it was thought that the matter might be brought up before the House and a decision taken by the House by way of a resolution. But it has been felt that, instead of taking a formal decision by means of a resolution, it is better if I make a statement with regard to the National Anthem. Accordingly I make this statement.

The composition consisting of the words and music known as Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India, subject to such alterations in the words as the Government may authorise as occasion arises; and the song Vande Mataram, which has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and shall have equal status with it. (Applause). I hope this will satisfy the Members.

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 wherein it is clearly expressed about ‘Insult to Indian National Flag and Constitution of India as – Whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India or any part thereof, shall be punished. There is further clarification about prevention of singing of National Anthem as – Whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the Indian National Anthem or causes disturbances to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished.

Government of India also published ‘Flag Code of India 2002’ for all wherein –

a.       The colour combination of tri-colour, its size to be equal of every colour, its size shall be rectangular and win proportion to 3:2, with dimensions of ‘National Flag’,

b.      There shall be no restriction on the display of the ‘National Flag’ by members of general public, private organizations, educational institutions etc. The preventions on the indecent activities are given under the Code and punishment for the same.

c.       The National Flag may be hoisted in educational institutions to inspire respect for ‘National Flag’ and certain instruction for hoisting. The other instructions for Central and State Governments and their organizations are there with incorrect display and manner of salute.

d.      Display on public buildings and official residences, display on motor cars, display on trains / aircrafts

e.       Half-Masting in the event of the death of the dignitaries as President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Speaker of Loksabha, Chief Justice of India etc.

There is another Act to prohibit the improper use of State Emblem of India for professional and commercial purposes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto that is called as The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005. No person shall use the emblem for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession or in the title of any patent, or in any trade mark or design, except in such cases and under such conditions as may be prescribed otherwise he shall be punished. The state of emblem of India – An adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka which is preserved in the Sarnath Museum. The Lion Capital has four lions mounted back to back on a circular abacus. The frieze of the abacus is adorned with sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening Dharma Chakras. The motto "Satyameva Jayate" – Truth alone triumphs – written in Devanagari script below the profile of the Lion Capital is part of the State Emblem of India.

Our Supreme Court of India also expressed in Bijoe Emmanuel and others Vs State Of Kerala and others and discussed about Art. 19 and Art. 25 of the Constitution.

So is the history in brief of our ‘Freedom Struggle’! At present, sometimes we find that we are fighting for their interpretation, ‘Whether it is compulsory to say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jay’ or ‘Vande Mataram’? Whether that is written in our Constitution? We will never say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jay’ or ‘Vande Mataram’ as that is against our ideas of religion. Is there any answer for such questions who are living in this country and enjoying the rights, taking all the benefits or better to say more benefits than other citizens? Are we honest to our Country for which our forefather had lost, scattered their life or can we say that they wasted their life for us?