3 weeks ago
Vande Mataram to be sung from Red Fort ramparts for first Independence Day
On August 15, India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day, and for the very first time the national song 'Vande Mataram' will be sung from the walls of the Red Fort in Delhi.
This year marks 150 years since the song was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who first published it in his book 'Anandamath' in 1882.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at the fort, the song will play while everyone stands, and then he will raise the national flag and the national anthem will be played.
The celebration's theme is 'Yuva Shakti', which celebrates the power and achievements of young people.
Students who won science olympiad medals, young engineers and entrepreneurs working on space technology, and about 5,000 other achievers have been invited to the event.
The government printed all six stanzas of the song on the invitation cards.
A new law now protects the national song, and deliberately insulting it could mean a jail sentence of up to three years.
However, some Muslim organisations object to singing the full song because they say its verses mention Hindu gods and goddesses, which goes against their religious beliefs.
The Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has also been invited to attend.
For the first time, the national song 'Vande Mataram' will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort during India's 80th Independence Day celebrations on August 15, with PM Narendra Modi arriving as the song is played, followed by the flag unfurling and the national anthem.
The rendition marks 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and first published in his novel 'Anandamath' in 1882; invitation cards carry all six stanzas of the song.
The ceremony under the theme 'Yuva Shakti – Leading the Journey to Viksit Bharat' will host about 5,000 special guests, 19 International Science Olympiad medallists, 600 competition winners and a 2,500-strong live formation on Gyanpath.
Parliament has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, giving 'Vande Mataram' the same legal protection as the national anthem, with deliberate insult or disruption punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine, or both.
Muslim organisations have objected to singing the full song, contending its verses contain references to Hindu gods and goddesses, while Defence Secretary R K Singh said the youth theme predates the Jantar Mantar student protests; Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has been invited to the ceremony.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the ceremony; Defence Secretary R K Singh announced the plans; Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has been invited.
- What
- The national song 'Vande Mataram' will be sung from the Red Fort ramparts for the first time, followed by the flag unfurling and the national anthem.
- Where
- Red Fort, Delhi, India.
- When
- August 15, 2026; the plans were announced on August 10, 2026.
- Why
- To mark 150 years of 'Vande Mataram' and India's 80th Independence Day, honouring the song's legacy and the contribution of young India to the journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Supporters of the full 'Vande Mataram' rendition
Opponents of the full 'Vande Mataram' rendition
Singing all six stanzas of the national song
Supporters of the full 'Vande Mataram' rendition
The BJP has taken up the cause of the national song, declaring that it deserves as much respect as the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' and advocating that all six stanzas be sung instead of the traditional practice of limiting it to two stanzas; Parliament has now given it the same legal protection as the anthem.
Opponents of the full 'Vande Mataram' rendition
Muslim organisations have objected to singing the full song, contending that it goes against their religious beliefs since the verses contain references to Hindu gods and goddesses.
Timing of the youth-focused theme
Supporters of the full 'Vande Mataram' rendition
Defence Secretary R K Singh says the plan to celebrate the success and contribution of youth at the Independence Day celebrations 'predates' the students' protest at Jantar Mantar and is not a response to it.
Opponents of the full 'Vande Mataram' rendition
The celebrations unfold against the backdrop of massive student protests over a question paper leak, raising questions about whether the 'Yuva Shakti' theme is a reaction to the agitation.
Key facts
- Event
- 80th Independence Day celebrations
- Date
- August 15, 2026
- Venue
- Red Fort, Delhi
- Historic First
- 'Vande Mataram' sung from the Red Fort ramparts
- Milestone
- 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'
- Theme
- 'Yuva Shakti – Leading the Journey to Viksit Bharat'
- Legal Protection
- Deliberate insult or disruption carries up to 3 years' imprisonment, a fine, or both
- Guests
- About 5,000 special guests, including 19 Olympiad medallists and 600 competition winners
Quotes
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh
Indian Defence Ministry official responsible for defence policy
“"This is the first time we are doing it with that sequence. The sequence is that he (Prime Minister Modi) arrives on the rampart, then the national song is played and everybody keeps standing. Thereafter, he unfurls the flag and the national anthem is played."”
indianexpress.com
firstpost.com
“As 2026 marks 150 years of national song ‘Vande Mataram’ that inspired millions during the freedom struggle will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the first time as a tribute to its enduring legacy.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
In A First, "Vande Mataram" To Be Sung At Red Fort On Independence Day
For the first time Vande Mataram to be sung from Red Fort ramparts
In a first, 'Vande Mataram' to be sung at Red Fort on I-Day
In a first, ‘Vande Mataram’ to be sung from Red Fort at 80th Independence Day
80th Independence Day: In a first, ‘Vande Mataram’ to be played at Red Fort
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