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Vande Mataram to be played before national anthem under new government rules

The Centre has mandated that Vande Mataram be played before the national anthem at government events and schools, with standing compulsory and all six stanzas included.

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Vande Mataram

The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday issued fresh guidelines directing that the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ be played before the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ at all government events and in all schools across the country.

Under the new rules, individuals must stand when ‘Vande Mataram’ is played at official functions. The directive also expands the occasions on which the song will be performed, including civilian award ceremonies such as the Padma awards and events attended by the President, during both arrival and departure.

The guidelines further state that ‘Vande Mataram’ will be played in public spaces such as cinema halls. However, standing will not be mandatory in such instances.

Significantly, all six stanzas of the song will now be rendered, including four that were not used at national gatherings following a 1937 decision by the Congress leadership.

Legal backing and extension of protections

Last month, sources had indicated that the government was considering extending protocols applicable to the national anthem under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act to the national song.

Under this law, anyone who disrupts or prevents others from showing respect to the national anthem — and now the national song — can face imprisonment of up to three years.

Political backdrop to the directive

The move is expected to trigger political debate, especially after last year’s exchange between the ruling BJP and the Congress over the history of ‘Vande Mataram’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had accused former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of opposing the song on the grounds that it could “irritate Muslims”, alleging that this approach mirrored that of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The BJP had also shared letters written by Nehru to support its position. The issue intensified during a parliamentary discussion marking the 150th anniversary of the song.

The four stanzas that were earlier excluded contain references to Hindu goddesses such as Durga, Kamala (Lakshmi) and Saraswati. In 1937, at a Congress session in Faizpur led by Nehru, it was decided that only the first two stanzas would be used at national gatherings. The rationale was that the later verses were viewed by some members of the Muslim community as exclusionary.

The BJP has argued that the earlier exclusions reflected a divisive approach and that dropping the stanzas contributed to the circumstances leading to Partition.

In response, Congress leaders have criticised the ruling party. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge described it as ironic that those claiming to defend nationalism had not historically sung ‘Vande Mataram’. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, speaking in Parliament, accused the Prime Minister and the BJP of selectively quoting Nehru and presenting excerpts from his letters without context, and alleged political motives linked to the upcoming Assembly election in Bengal.

Historical context of the song

‘Vande Mataram’ was written on November 7, 1875, by Bengali author Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and later published in his 1882 novel ‘Anandmath’. The song became a rallying cry during India’s freedom movement.

Across its six stanzas, the composition portrays the nation as a mother figure, combining nurturing and protective imagery. The later verses specifically reference Hindu goddesses, which formed the basis of the 1937 decision to limit its official use to the first two stanzas.

With the new directive, the government has reinstated all six stanzas for official performance.

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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