Home Ministry’s order on National Song does not reflect spirit of Constitution: CPI(M)

CPI(M) hits out at government order prioritising National Song over National Anthem, claiming it contradicts constitutional spirit

The Union government order giving precedence to the National Song over the National Anthem does not reflect the spirit of the Constitution, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said on Thursday (February 12, 2026).

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the singing of all six stanzas of the National Song, Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The order dated January 28 also said that when the National Song and the National Anthem are sung or played, the National Song will be sung or played first.

In a statement issued here, the CPI(M) Politburo said the Constitution clearly states in Article 51A(a) that it is the duty of every citizen to respect the National Flag and the National Anthem.

“The government of India has issued an order giving precedence to the National Song over the National Anthem, which does not reflect the spirit of the Constitution,” the Left party said.

It said that after thorough deliberation, the Constituent Assembly adopted the statement made by former president Rajendra Prasad concerning the National Song that only two stanzas would be sung.

“Through its recent order, the government seeks to include the remaining four stanzas, which the Constituent Assembly felt did not resonate the secular character of the Indian Republic,” it said.