Vande Mataram played in Parliament for first time as Monsoon Session ends
In a historic first, the national song Vande Mataram was played to open the final Monsoon Session proceedings on Thursday.
The move came days after a new law granted the National Song legal protection and set rules for official renditions.
On the last day of the Monsoon Session, Lok Sabha proceedings opened with Vande Mataram on Thursday, marking a first for Parliament, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and a full house in attendance.
After six stanzas of the National Song were played, the Lower House was subsequently adjourned sine die, bringing the session to a close. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla did not read out the usual valedictory address in which he highlights the performance and productivity of the Lok Sabha during the session. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was also adjourned sine die with the National Song.
The development comes days after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to legislation providing legal protection to Vande Mataram. The law makes intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the National Song a punishable offence, placing it on a similar legal footing to the National Anthem.
The Government had earlier issued protocols governing the singing at official functions. In an order dated January 28, the Union Home Ministry prescribed that six stanzas of the song be sung on occasions including the arrival of the President, unfurling of the Tricolour and addresses by governors.
