India, Aug. 14 -- This Independence Day, the celebrations are getting a special musical upgrade. For the first time ever, Vande Mataram will be sung during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. The recognition given to the iconic composition by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, which played a historic role in the Indian freedom struggle, has not just ignited patriotic fervour across the nation but also propelled the rush to learn the National Song (3 minutes and 10 seconds).

Recently, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by giving Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana (52 seconds). This implies that intentionally...