PIL in K’taka HC challenges govt order limiting ‘Vande Mataram’ to two stanzas
Bengaluru: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Karnataka High Court challenging the state government’s order directing that only the first two stanzas of the National Song Vande Mataram be sung at state government programmes. The PIL contended that the directive runs contrary to instructions issued by the Union government.
The matter is expected to be mentioned before the High Court on Tuesday for listing.
The PIL has been filed by advocate Girish Bharadwaj against the State of Karnataka, the Principal Secretary to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), and the Union of India.
The petition challenges the Government Order dated September 8 and the Karnataka Cabinet’s decision of September 3, under which the state government directed that at all state government programmes, except those attended by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor, only the first two stanzas of “Vande Mataram” should be sung.
According to the petition, the Ministry of Home Affairs, through a letter dated July 9, 2026, circulated the orders relating to the National Song to all states for “strict compliance”. The petitioner contends that the Union government’s directions prescribe the official version of “Vande Mataram” as the complete composition in six stanzas and require the official version to be recited during mass singing.
The PIL further points out that Parliament subsequently enacted the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, extending statutory protection to the National Song.
The petitioner has argued that the Karnataka government’s order is contrary to the Union government’s prescribed version of the National Song and sought to have the order quashed.
The petition also challenges the manner in which the state government took the decision, alleging that it followed an “Informal Discussion” without a Cabinet Note, sponsoring department or advice from the Law Department.
The PIL raises the constitutional question of whether a state government can, through an executive order, prescribe the form and content of a national symbol. It contends that the subject does not fall under the State List or Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule and is within the exclusive legislative competence of Parliament under Entry 97 of the Union List read with Article 248 of the Constitution.
The petitioner has further alleged that the order violates Articles 256 and 257(1), which require state executive power to be exercised in compliance with laws made by Parliament and without impeding the executive power of the Union.
The petition makes it clear that it does not seek to compel any individual to sing the National Song. Instead, it seeks a direction that when “Vande Mataram” is sung at a state government function, the government should not direct that the officially prescribed version be curtailed.
The petitioner had also submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary on September 14 seeking withdrawal of the government order. According to the PIL, no response has been received so far.
The petitioner has sought interim relief, stating that the order continues to operate at state government functions across Karnataka since September 8.