started · updated
Supreme Court of India examines criminal penalties for refusing to sing Vande Mataram
The Supreme Court of India is examining a constitutional challenge regarding the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, indicated that individuals who refuse to sing the song due to religious beliefs or conscientious objections should not face criminal consequences.
The petition was brought by Carnatic musician T. M. Krishna, who is challenging a 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Krishna argues that government directions requiring all six stanzas of the song to be sung at official functions violate constitutional protections regarding equality, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. He specifically noted that the final four stanzas contain references to Hindu deities.
While the court stated that the decision on what constitutes the national song rests with the democratically elected government, it emphasized that constitutional protections for religious freedom must be respected. The bench also referenced the 1986 Bijoe Emmanuel ruling, which protected the rights of students to abstain from singing the national anthem on religious grounds.
Political leaders have reacted to the proceedings. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president BK Hariprasad welcomed the court’s stance, stating that patriotism should not involve forced participation. Meanwhile, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi criticized Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for referring to those challenging the law as ‘Naxalites’ during court arguments.
Entities
Asaduddin Owaisi · BK Hariprasad · Supreme Court of India · T. M. Krishna · Tushar Mehta
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Carnatic musician T. M. Krishna challenged a 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. madhyamamonline.com · southasiandaily.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The court noted that the designation of the National Song is a matter for the democratically elected government to determine. madhyamamonline.com · southasiandaily.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Krishna argues that the last four stanzas of Vande Mataram contain references to Hindu deities. madhyamamonline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi criticized Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for referring to petitioners as ‘Naxalites’. madhyamamonline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee has decided to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at government programmes. desitalkchicago.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Supreme Court indicated that individuals refusing to sing Vande Mataram due to religious beliefs or conscience should not face criminal consequences. desitalkchicago.com · madhyamamonline.com · southasiandaily.com