Why in the News?
A Karnataka MP has claimed that Rabindranath Tagore composed ‘Jana Gana Mana’ as a welcome song for British officials, reigniting an old debate about its intent.
About the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’:
- Composition: Written by Rabindranath Tagore on December 11, 1911, in Sanskritised Bengali, as part of the five-stanza hymn Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata.
- First Performance: Sung on December 27, 1911, at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress, led by Sarala Devi Chowdhurani and Brahmo Samaj students.
- Controversy: Misinterpreted as a tribute to King George V at the Delhi Durbar (1911).
- Tagore’s Clarification: In a 1937 letter to Pulin Behari Sen, Tagore stated the song praised the “Dispenser of India’s destiny”, not any monarch.
- Freedom Movement Role: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose adopted it as the anthem of the Free India Centre (Berlin, 1941); it was performed with an orchestra in Hamburg (1942).
- Official Adoption: Declared National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, alongside Vande Mataram as National Song.
- Duration & Language: Full version lasts 52 seconds; a 20-second short version is also authorized; the Hindi rendering preserves Tagore’s poetic rhythm.
Legal and Constitutional Framework:
- Constitutional Basis: Protected under Article 51A(a) and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
- Penalties: Intentional disrespect punishable with up to 3 years’ imprisonment, fine, or both.
- Protocol: Must be sung unaltered, with standing at attention during performance; use for commercial or satirical purposes is banned.
- Judicial Rulings:
- Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986) – Students refusing to sing for religious reasons but standing respectfully are protected under Article 25.
- Shyam Narayan Chouksey v. Union of India (2016–2018) – Court made anthem in cinemas optional, emphasizing voluntary respect.
- Occasions: Played at official, educational, and diplomatic events, maintaining decorum and unity.
Comparison with the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’:
- Authorship: Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1870, featured in Anandamath (1882).
- First Sung: At the 1896 INC session, also by Rabindranath Tagore.
- Adoption: On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly gave equal honour to Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana.
- Meaning: Vande Mataram glorifies Mother India; Jana Gana Mana praises the divine ruler of destiny, uniting diverse communities.
- Symbolism: Together, they embody India’s patriotic spirit and spiritual harmony, Vande Mataram as the voice of reverence and revolution, Jana Gana Mana as the hymn of collective peace and identity.
- Presidential Declaration: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950) affirmed both songs have equal status and honour, representing India’s composite national soul.
| [UPSC 2003] Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Options: (a) The National Song Vande Mataram was composed by Bankimchandra Chatterji originally in Bengali * (b) The National Calendar of India based on Saka era has its 1st Chaitra on 22nd March normally and 21st March in a leap year (c) The design of the National Flag of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22nd July, 1947 (d) The song ‘Jana-gana-mana’, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly on 24th January, 1950 as the national anthem of India |
