Madras High Court makes Vande Mataram compulsory in schools, colleges, offices [Read order]

The Madras High Court has ordered that the national song Vande Mataram be sung in all schools, colleges and educational institutions at least once a week, reports The News Minute..The order to that effect was passed by Justice MV Muralidharan in a petition filed by one K Veeramani. Veeramani’s case pertained to the question of language in which Vande Mataram was first written..According to TOI, Veeramani had failed to clear the written test for the post of Teaching Assistant, as he answered that the song was written in Bengali. He was awarded 89 marks in the test conducted for the post by the Teachers Recruitment Board. However, the minimum eligibility mark was fixed as 90, and so he did not get recruited..The Court, while holding that Vande Mataram was first written in Bengali, proceeded to direct the singing of the song in educational institutions. Waxing eloquent about the independence struggle and patriotism, the Court said:.“Patriotism is an essential requirement for every citizen of this country. The fact that this country is our Motherland should always be remembered by every citizen of this country. Several people have sacrificed their lives and families to the independent struggle that prolonged for several decades. In these tough times, it was songs like our national song “Vande Matharam” which created a sense of belief and confidence in the people.”.It also ordered that the national song should be sung in Government institutions, private institutions, factories and industries at least once a month..The Court further ordered the Director of Public Information to upload and circulate the translated version of Vande Mataram in Tamil and English, and to make it available on government websites and social media..The Court has also carved out an exception stating that,.“In the event, any person/organisation has difficulty in singing or playing the National Song, he or she shall not be compelled or forced to sing it, provided there are valid reasons for not doing so.”.Last year, the Supreme Court had ordered that National Anthem be played in all cinema halls across the country before the screening of feature films..Read the Madras High Court order below.