New Delhi: A first-of-its-kind moment was witnessed at an international cricket match as the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ was played before the start of the first T20 match between India and Afghanistan in the national capital on Sunday. It was followed by the national anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
A bill was recently passed in Parliament stating that the first six stanzas of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ should be played before every official event. However, the list of events released by the government excluded sporting events.
The match is being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The remaining two matches of the series will also be held at the same venue.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote ‘Vande Mataram’ in Bengali in the 1870s. The recent resolution also stated that insulting the national song would be considered a punishable offence.
After India’s national song and national anthem, Afghanistan’s national anthem was played, following which the match got underway.
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