150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’: How Independence Day celebrations will be different this year

The 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15 will be different this year, with the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ set to be rendered at the historic venue for the first time.

The celebrations will place the focus on the energy and aspirations of Gen Z and ‘Yuva Shakti’, while also marking 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ and highlighting the contribution of young Indians to the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations at the Red Fort. After he hoists the national flag, the Army band will play ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the National Anthem.

The National Song will be heard again after the Prime Minister’s address. NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will sing ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the National Anthem.

Why ‘Vande Mataram’ is significant this year

The inclusion of ‘Vande Mataram’ in the main Independence Day programme comes as President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Vande Mataram Bill on Tuesday, granting the National Song the same legal protection as the national anthem.

Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, last month, amending the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The legislation seeks to give ‘Vande Mataram’ the same statutory protection as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

With the President’s assent, the Bill has become law. Offences under the amended law are punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.

History of Vande Mataram

‘Vande Mataram’, meaning “I bow to thee, Motherland”, is a patriotic song written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s. It was first published in 1882 in his novel Anandamath, meaning “The Abbey of Bliss”.

Set during the late 18th-century Sannyasi Rebellion against the East India Company, the novel tells the story of ascetic rebels who worship the motherland as a goddess.

In the novel, the rebels sing ‘Vande Mataram’ as a devotional hymn dedicated to the motherland.

The song became a popular symbol of protest in the early 20th century, particularly during the 1905 Partition of Bengal. It was sung at political meetings, marches and Congress sessions. British authorities also banned its public singing in certain situations.

When did ‘Vande Mataram’ become the National Song?

On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India accorded ‘Vande Mataram’ the status of the National Song. This came two days before the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950.

Rules for mass singing of the National Song

The National Song can be sung collectively on several official and significant occasions. The rules state that mass singing should accompany the playing of the National Song in the following situations: