Karnataka High Court defers hearing on Vande Mataram stanza restriction

…Interestingly, petitioner’s counsel Angad Kamath pointed out that no department had submitted a “note” for discussion on Vande Mataram, which was Item No. 37 on the agenda of the Cabinet meeting held on September 3. The Cabinet decision on the song was taken suo motu under the heading “informal discussion”, without any formal Cabinet note or legal consultation , Mr. Kamath argued, pointing out that all the other 36 items had been placed before the Cabinet through formal notes submitted by the respective departments. Hence, the decision taken through an “informal discussion”…

…dignity and due observance of appropriate protocol” while creating a State-specific variation by restricting the rendition to only two stanzas. State’s claim Meanwhile, Advocate General K. Shashi Kiran Shetty said that the Centre itself had informed the Supreme Court and the High Court earlier this year that singing the National Song is “not mandatory” . He also pointed out that the apex court is hearing a fresh plea challenging the penal provisions relating to insulting the National Song and other related issues, and has granted the Centre two weeks to respond. The…

…Additional Solicitor General of India K. Arvind Kamath supported the petitioner, stating that the Centre’s order on the National Song lays down clear norms on when it must be sung and when it is optional. However, whenever it is sung, it must be rendered in its official version containing all six stanzas , the ASG told the court. Published - September 22, 2026 07:53 pm IST…