A “conscientious objector” should not be punished for refusing to sing Vande Mataram, the Supreme Court told the Centre on Tuesday while asking it to keep in mind a 1986 judgment protecting children who said no to singing the national anthem on grounds of conscience.

The bench was hearing a petition by Carnatic vocalist TM Krishna challenging the law mandating singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, arguing that the last four verses violate the secular character of the nation. The bench has further sought a response from the Centre on the plea.