India’s national song “Vande Mataram” has completed 150 years since it was written. In February, the Union government directed that the song must be played in government and school functions before the national anthem.
The Centre has also passed a Bill in Parliament providing for up to three years’ imprisonment for those who deliberately insult the song, according to the report.
As the country prepares to celebrate its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15, the song will be played before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address for the first time.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said that after the Prime Minister arrives at the Red Fort, the national song will be played, followed by the hoisting of the national flag and then the national anthem.
The invitation for the Independence Day event has also printed the full lyrics of “Vande Mataram,” the statement added.
