No concept of National Song in Constitution, says SC | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

No concept of National Song in Constitution, says SC

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
Feb 17, 2017 08:56 PM IST

There is no concept of a national song, the Supreme Court said on Friday, declining to entertain a plea to direct the Centre to frame a national policy to promote Vande Mataram.

There is no concept of a national song, the Supreme Court said on Friday, declining to entertain a plea to direct the Centre to frame a national policy to promote Vande Mataram.

The Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea to direct the Centre to frame a national policy to promote Vande Mataram.(PTI File)
The Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea to direct the Centre to frame a national policy to promote Vande Mataram.(PTI File)

A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said Article 51A (fundamental duties) of the Constitution requires to promote and propogate the National Anthem and the National Flag.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“The Article does not refer to National Song. It only refers to National Flag and National Anthem. Therefore, we do not intend to enter into any debate as far as the National Song is concerned,” said the bench, rejecting the prayer of petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay, a BJP spokesperson.

Upadhyay had said India is a Union of States and not an association or confederation of states.

His plea to make reciting the National Anthem compulsory in offices, courts and legislative houses and Parliament was also declined.

But the bench agreed to hear the petitioner’s prayer to make it mandatory for schools to play or sing the National Anthem on working days.

The Narendra Modi government has already asked the SC to revisit its 1986 judgement which ruled that singing of the National Anthem was not mandatory.

It had exempted three children, who belonged to the Jehovah’s Witness sect, from singing the anthem at their school. Forcing the children to sing the anthem violated their fundamental right to religion, the court had said.

“Patriotism must be inculcated in kids. It cannot be done in adults. So, singing the National Anthem in schools… as a part of the curriculum, must be made compulsory,” the government’s top law officer, attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, told the court, which fixed April 18 to hear his argument at length.

The court was hearing a petition filed by a film society, which challenged its November 30 order asking all cinemas to play Jana Gana Mana and the audience to stand up to show respect to the 52-second anthem.

Nationalism had to be instilled and it should start from childhood, Rohatgi said, opposing the recall plea.

“Compulsion to stand and sing (the National Anthem) as a part of the school curriculum is required to be debated,” he said.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Farmers Protest Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 15, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On