News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated a discussion in the Lok Sabha to mark the 150th anniversary of the National Song, Vande Mataram.
About National Song (Vande Mataram)
- Composition: Vande Mataram was originally composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterjee and included in his novel Anand Math (1882).
- First Sung: The song was first sung at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta by Rabindranath Tagore.
- Adoption: On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly officially adopted it as the National Song of India.
- Constitutional Aspect: Although Article 51A(a) of the Constitution enjoins citizens to respect the Constitution, its ideals and institutions, the National Flag, and the National Anthem, it does not make specific mention of the National Song.
- Difference between National Anthem and National Song
- The National Anthem enjoys specific constitutional privileges and legal protection. According to Article 51A(a) of the Constitution of India, it is the fundamental duty of every citizen to respect the National Anthem.
- Violations of this respect can lead to penalties, as outlined in the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
- The Orders relating to the National Anthem regulate the correct manner in which the Anthem should be played or sung.
- The National Song, on the other hand, does not have such explicit legal protection in the Constitution.
- While it holds national significance, it is not subject to the same detailed set of regulations and punishments as the National Anthem.
