Supreme Court Directs Government to Respond to Petitions Challenging Mandatory Singing of Vande Mataram

The Supreme Court has mandated the central government to respond to petitions challenging the requirement to sing all six stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' at official events. The petitions argue that this requirement is unconstitutional and infringes on the principles of secularism and religious freedom. The case stems from orders issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which have sparked significant debate regarding the national song's interpretation. The next hearing is set for November 30, as the court considers the implications of these orders on citizens' rights.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 27, 2026, 15:43 IST

Supreme Court's Directive to the Government

In New Delhi, the Supreme Court has instructed the central government to submit its response regarding two separate petitions that contest the orders issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. These orders mandate the singing of all six stanzas of the national song 'Vande Mataram' at formal government events. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohan, has issued a notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs while hearing these petitions.

Background of the Case

This issue pertains to two distinct government orders released by the Home Ministry in January and July 2026. The petitions, filed by Buddhist activist B.D. Borakar and former IAS officer Balakrishnan Satyabhama Mavoj, argue that these orders are unconstitutional and violate the principles of secularism. The petitions assert that the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram,' written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s, do not reference any religious deity and merely celebrate nature, a fact recognized for the past 79 years as the national song. In contrast, the third to sixth stanzas, included in Chatterjee's novel 'Anandamath,' contain specific religious elements, which the petitioners claim impose on citizens' religious freedoms.

Petitioner's Arguments

Mavoj highlighted in his petition that making all six stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' mandatory contradicts the values of fraternity, secularism, and freedom of thought and religion enshrined in the Indian Constitution. He has requested the annulment of both orders from the Home Ministry and seeks official recognition for only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram.' Additionally, it is noteworthy that musician T.M. Krishna has also filed a petition challenging amendments to the 'Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act' in this context. The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for all petitions on November 30.