Adelbert Nongrum, the MLA from North Shillong, has protested against new guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which require the full six-stanza version of “Vande Mataram” to be played at all government and school events. Previously, only the first two stanzas were performed. The directive, issued on February 6, designates the entire six-stanza composition as the “official version” and suggests a duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds for its performance. Nongrum has urged the Meghalaya government to contest these instructions, emphasizing his support for the first two stanzas adopted as the national song in 1950. He pointed out that the Constitution of India does not stipulate a national song and warned that enforcing the full version may violate Article 25, which safeguards religious freedom. He also referenced the Bible, advocating for the adherence to the first two stanzas exclusively at official functions.