SRINAGAR: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued fresh directions to all State Governments, Union Territory Administrations and Central Ministries, directing them to ensure strict compliance with the prescribed protocol governing the singing and playing of the National Song and the National Anthem across the country.
In an official communication, the Ministry instructed all Chief Secretaries of States, Administrators of Union Territories, and Secretaries of Central Ministries and Departments to circulate the existing guidelines among government offices, educational institutions and other organisations under their administrative control to ensure uniform implementation.
According to the MHA, the guidelines specify the occasions on which the National Song and the National Anthem are mandatory or may be performed. They also lay down the protocol for official functions where both are required to be sung or played at the beginning and conclusion of programmes.
The Ministry reiterated that whenever both are rendered together, the National Song must always precede the National Anthem. It further clarified that in States where a State Song is also performed, the prescribed sequence must be: National Song, National Anthem and then the State Song.
The MHA also directed all authorities to ensure strict adherence to the officially approved script, text and pronunciation of both the National Song and the National Anthem. It said the authorised versions are available on the Ministry’s official website and should be followed without any deviation.
The communication further instructed all concerned authorities to issue necessary directions to educational institutions, government departments and other public organisations to ensure that the prescribed protocol is observed uniformly across the country.
