HC notice to Centre, Delhi govt on PIL seeking equal status for 'Vande Mataram' with 'Jana-Gana-Mana'

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought to know the Centre and Delhi governments stand on a plea seeking that a policy be framed to equally propagate the national anthem and the national song Vande MataramA bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Sachin Datta issued notice on the petition by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay and granted time to the respondents to file their responseThe court also sought a response from the National Council for Education Research and Training NCERT on the petition which also prayed for a direction to the Centre and Delhi government to ensure that Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram are played and sung in all schools and educational institutions on every working day Meanwhile the court expressed displeasure at the petitioner publicising the filing of the petition even before it was listed for hearing saying it gives an impression that the petition was filed for publicityThe court however noted that the petitioner has expressed regret and he has been directed not to resort to such a practice The court said it would entertain the present PIL because the petitioner is a serious litigant The petitioner argued before the court that in the absence of any guideline or regulations to honour Vande Mataram the national song is being sung in an uncivilised manner and misused in films and partiesThe petitioner stated that the song played a historic part in the Indian freedom struggle and ought to be honoured as much as Jana Gana Mana in view of the statement made by the Constituent Assembly Chairman Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1950In order to keep the country united it is the duty of the government to frame a National Policy to promotepropagate Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram There is no reason why it should evoke any other sentiment as the both are decided by Constitution makers the petition saidThe sentiments expressed in Jana Gana Mana have been expressed keeping the state in view However sentiments expressed in Vande Mataram denote the nations character and style and deserve similar respect it said The petition asserted that there should not be any dramatisation of Vande Mataram and it must not be included in any variety show because whenever it is sung or played it is imperative on the part of every one present to show due respect and honourDirect and declare that the song Vande Mataram which had played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and shall have equal status with it in spirit of the statement made by the Constituent Assembly Chairman Honble Dr Rajendra Prasad with regard to the National Anthem on 24011950 the petition urged The matter would be heard next on November 9This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever