Order limiting Vande Mataram to two stanzas challenged in HC

Bengaluru: The government’s decision to restrict the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ to two stanzas at most official programmes has been challenged before the Karnataka High Court. Advocate Girish Bharadwaj has filed a writ petition questioning the state government’s authority to impose the restriction through an executive order. He has sought a stay on the September 8 government order, arguing that the state cannot introduce through an administrative directive something that, according to him, cannot be achieved through legislation.

The state government had issued the order following a Cabinet decision. Under the directive, only two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ are to be sung at government functions, while programmes attended by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Governor have been kept outside the restriction. Bharadwaj has argued that the song cannot be arbitrarily limited to two stanzas through a state government order. The petition seeks judicial intervention against the implementation of the directive and requests the court to restrain the government from enforcing it.

The controversy revolves around the protocol governing the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ at government functions. The government has maintained that its decision was aimed at ensuring uniformity, dignity and appropriate protocol at official programmes across Karnataka. The government order refers to guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs concerning the official version of ‘Vande Mataram’ and its singing or playing at government and public functions.

The guidelines distinguish between occasions involving instrumental rendition and collective singing. The state government has said the nature and circumstances of different official programmes were considered while framing the new protocol. ‘Vande Mataram’ has a significant place in India’s freedom movement and has historically been associated with patriotism, national unity and the national movement.