Vande Mataram Advisory is Voluntary, Not Mandatory, Rules Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court dismissed a PIL challenging the Centre’s advisory urging schools to sing all six stanzas of Vande Mataram.

The Court held that the Ministry of Home Affairs circular is purely advisory and does not impose any legal obligation on schools. It noted that the use of the word “may” indicates voluntary compliance, with no penalties or adverse consequences for non-compliance.

The petitioner had argued that certain stanzas refer to Hindu deities and affect secularism, but the Court found these concerns to be vague and premature.

Accordingly, it ruled that no enforceable right was violated and dismissed the plea.