As India prepares to host European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa as chief guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2026, the Centre is moving ahead with plans to place the National Song – Vande Mataram – at the heart of this year’s festivities.
Over the past few weeks, there have been considerable, heated debates on the national song after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that the Congress, under Jawaharlal Nehru, cut down the song to two paragraphs based on religion, thereby “sowing the seeds of partition”.
Now, in a move that signals the continuation of the controversy, it is learnt that the Ministry of Defence has directed that the January 26 celebrations will feature a “Vande Mataram theme”, including a torch relay and a specially curated flypast, coinciding with 150 years since the first two stanzas of the song were published in 1875.
Context: The recent Vande Mataram controversy
The decision comes amid renewed public debate over Vande Mataram, following recent controversies around its singing and interpretation in educational and public spaces, according to officials cited by The Hindu. While the song is officially recognised as India’s National Song and was a rallying cry during the freedom movement, differing views have periodically surfaced over its historical and cultural context.
Officials, however, stressed that the Republic Day focus is intended to highlight the song’s role in India’s independence struggle and its unifying symbolism, rather than reopen political or ideological disputes.
The European leaders are expected to share the dais with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ceremonial parade at Kartavya Path.
Republic Day 2026: What’s planned for January 26 celebrations
According to officials involved in the planning, the Republic Day parade will integrate Vande Mataram-inspired visuals and musi; a torch relay and a thematic flypast will mark the 150-year mileston. The flypast may be shifted from its traditional closing slot to the middle of the parade to improve visibility and audience engagement.
The events are being coordinated under the National Implementation Committee chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, following deliberations led by Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal.
Beyond Delhi: A nationwide and global outreach planned
The celebrations will extend beyond the capital as Army bands will perform in cantonments; school, college and NCC bands will stage musical programmes across campuses nationwide. The Ministry of Culture plans to integrate its campaign portal with the My Bharat platform, which has an estimated user base of around two crore people
Internationally, the Ministry of External Affairs has been asked to ensure cultural evenings and a “Global Music Festival” centred on Vande Mataram at Indian missions abroad. Further, there would be articles by Indian ambassadors and heads of mission in local newspapers explaining the song’s historical significance.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also been tasked with producing 25 one-minute films on Vande Mataram and its author Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Republic Day 2026 celebrations: Protocol changes and symbolism
Officials said proposals are being considered to include the “150 Years of Vande Mataram” logo on official invitations, rename seating enclosures, dropping the terms “VIP” and “VVIP”. Such changes, they said, are aimed at reinforcing the inclusive spirit of the celebrations.
On January 27, a day after the parade, the European leaders will attend an at-home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan before joining Prime Minister Modi for the EU–India Summit. The summit is expected to focus on finalising the long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement, lending added diplomatic weight to the visit.
While Republic Day traditionally features a single country’s leader as chief guest, India has previously hosted groupings, including ASEAN leaders in 2018, underscoring the strategic importance New Delhi places on the EU partnership.