In a historic first, the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ was played in full at the Red Fort during the 80th Independence Day celebrations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. The rendition came after PM Modi hoisted the National Flag from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort and was followed by the customary playing of the National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
It was played before and after President Murmu’s address to the nation on the eve of the 80th Independence Day on Friday. Under the amended law, deliberate disruption of or obstruction to the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ can attract penalties, including imprisonment, a fine, or both. The song had also featured prominently in the events leading up to Independence Day. In her address, President Murmu recalled the role of ‘Vande Mataram’ during the freedom movement. Originally composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, ‘Vande Mataram’ was later included in his novel Anandamath.
The development comes days after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which accords the National Song the same legal protection as the National Anthem. Rabindranath Tagore first sang the song at the 1896 Congress Session in Calcutta, now Kolkata.
“During the Swadeshi Movement, the song Vande Mataram became a song of the masses,” she said.
Earlier reporting noted: On video: Vande Mataram kickstarts Red Fort Independence Day celebrations in a historic first In a historic first, Vande Mataram, the national song of India, was played at the Red Fort on Saturday morning as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day. Vande Mataram was followed by the recitation of the national anthem at the grand event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the tricolour. This was followed by President Droupadi Murmu giving assent to the Bill, granting the National Song the same legal protection as the national anthem. The guests included Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, among others.
According to a government note titled ‘150 Years of Vande Mataram: A Melody That Became a Movement’, shared on November 6 last year, the chant ‘Vande Mataram’ was first used as a political slogan on August 7, 1905.
Track live updates on Independence Day celebrations Earlier reporting noted: This comes after the Parliament passed the Vande Mataram Bill during the recently concluded monsoon session. Earlier reporting noted: An Army band played the tune of ‘Vande Mataram’ while the guests present at Red Fort sung the national song.
