Delhi HC dismisses plea seeking to declare Vande Mataram as National Anthem of India

The Delhi High Court today dismissed a petition to declare Vande Mataram as the National Anthem of India, or in the alternative, the National Song of India..The petition preferred by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay sought that Vande Mataram which played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, be given be the same status as Jana Gana Mana. .A Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar stated that it did not find any reason to entertain the petition and dismissed it..Upadhyay had also sought a direction to the Central Government to frame a national policy to promote and propagate the two songs..The petitioner stated that India is a Union of States and not an association or confederation of States. Hence, it was the duty of every citizen to respect Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram equally. The petition stated,.“There is no reason why it should evoke any other sentiment as the both are decided by the Constitution makers. The sentiments expressed in ‘Jana Gana Mana’ have been expressed keeping State in view. However, the sentiments expressed in ‘Vande Mataram’ denote the nation’s character and style and deserve similar respect.”.It is the duty of every Indian to show respect when two songs are played, recited or sung, the petitioner stated..The petition also sought directions to the Centre to ensure that the songs Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram are sung in all schools on every working day..In 2017, a Single Judge Bench of the Madras High Court had made it compulsory to sing Vande Mataram in educational institutions, government offices and private establishments. However, this order was later set aside by a Division Bench, which left it to the discretion of the government to impose such a policy.