NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued fresh directions to all state governments, Union Territory (UT) administrations and central ministries, reiterating the rules governing the singing and playing of the National Anthem and the National Song and calling for their strict compliance.
In a communication, a copy of which is with The New Indian Express, the MHA directed states and UTs to follow the prescribed sequence when rendering the National Song and the National Anthem. It also clarified that states with an official state song must perform it first, followed by the National Song and then the National Anthem.
The ministry reiterated that "whenever both the National Song and the National Anthem are sung together, the National Song must be sung or played first, followed by the National Anthem."
Clarifying the protocol where a state song is also performed, the MHA said: "Whenever a state song is sung or played with the National Song and National Anthem, both the National Song and National Anthem shall be sung or played together, and the National Song will be sung or played first followed by the National Anthem."
The ministry also stressed that the correct script, text, diction and pronunciation of both the National Anthem and the National Song must be followed strictly while rendering them. It noted that the authentic text and pronunciation guides are available on the MHA's website to facilitate compliance.
The communication reiterated that existing government orders contain an exhaustive list of occasions on which the National Anthem and the National Song are required or permitted to be sung or played. It also specifies instances where both are to be rendered during the same programme, including at the beginning and the end of an event.
The MHA requested all state governments, UT administrations and central ministries to issue appropriate instructions to institutions and organisations under their jurisdiction to ensure strict adherence to the prescribed norms.
"It is requested that suitable instructions in this regard may please be issued to all concerned institutions and organisations under your jurisdiction, for strict compliance," the communication said.
Copies of the communication were also sent to the President's Secretariat, Vice-President's Secretariat, Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Secretariat, Election Commission of India, Parliament Secretariats, Supreme Court, High Courts, NITI Aayog and other constitutional and government bodies.
The ministry noted that the Centre has issued directions on the National Anthem and National Song from time to time and said the latest communication reiterates the existing guidelines for uniform implementation across the country.
