Clarify usage of Sindh in national anthem: HC

As the Supreme Court in a 2005 judgement had quoted the official version of the national anthem using the word 'Sindh', the Bombay high court, on Wednesday, sought a clarification from the Centre about the correct usage of the word.

As the Supreme Court in a 2005 judgement had quoted the official version of the national anthem using the word 'Sindh', the Bombay high court, on Wednesday, sought a clarification from the Centre about the correct usage of the word.

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A division bench of justice Ranjana Desai and justice Rajesh Ketkar directed the central government to file an affidavit clarifying whether the word is 'Sindh' or 'Sindhu'.

Earlier, acting on a PIL filed by Versova resident Shreekant Malushte, 75, the court had directed the Union home ministry to replace the word 'Sindh' with 'Sindhu'.

Malushte, a retired professor, had twice sought the official version of the national anthem under the RTI Act and both times, the word 'Sindhu' was conveyed to him, said Niranjan Mogre, Malushte's lawyer.

However, Pradeep Bhavnani, president of Bharatiya Sindhi Samaj, opposed Malushte's PIL citing the 2005 apex court judgement. He said the word 'Sindh' in the national anthem was the only word that reflects his community's identity.