New Delhi: The Supreme Court is likely to hear on October 27 a petition seeking the transfer of a public interest litigation from the Delhi High Court to the apex court, according to reports. The underlying litigation calls for equal status to be granted to the national song 'Vande Mataram' alongside the national anthem, alongside the establishment of formal guidelines for its observance.
According to the Supreme Court roster and website, a bench consisting of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana is slated to take up the matter filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay. The transfer request was brought through advocate Ashwani Dubey on the basis that a related petition is already pending before the highest court of the country.
The petition emphasizes that 'Vande Mataram' serves as an emblem of historical significance, sovereignty, unity, and national pride. It warns that any overt or covert disrespect shown to the composition by citizens amounts to anti-social behavior that threatens the foundation of the nation. The filing argues that the executive branch holds a responsibility to formulate a national policy aimed at promoting and propagating the song, while ensuring that citizens prioritize national interest above personal matters to safeguard hard-earned freedoms.
Additionally, the plea requests formal directives directing the central government and the Delhi government to mandate the playing and singing of both 'Jana Gana Mana' and 'Vande Mataram' across all schools and educational institutions on every working day. The legal challenge points out that due to a lack of regulatory guidelines governing its execution, the song is occasionally performed improperly or misused in commercial films and social gatherings.
Highlighting the vital role the song played during the Indian independence movement, the petition cites remarks made by Constituent Assembly Chairman Rajendra Prasad in 1950 to argue that 'Vande Mataram' merits equal reverence with 'Jana Gana Mana'. The filing asserts that both compositions were valued by the architects of the Constitution and should be officially regulated to maintain national unity.
The submission further argues that the song should be protected from dramatization and variety shows, ensuring that audiences display appropriate respect whenever it is played. The Supreme Court will weigh these arguments on October 27 to determine whether the proceedings should be brought directly under its jurisdiction.