Vande Mataram Controversy: The debate has once again erupted regarding Vande Mataram. Actually, this controversy started in Maharashtra when the state government ordered all schools to sing the full version of Vande Mataram between 31 October and 7 November to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. After this, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi opposed it. Meanwhile, a big question arose whether someone can be punished for refusing to sing Vande Mataram or not? Let us know what is the answer to this question and also what Indian law says on this issue.

Is there any punishment for not singing Vande Mataram?

According to the Indian Constitution and the policy of the Central Government, there is no legal punishment or provision for not singing Vande Mataram. Singing Vande Mataram is completely voluntary and not mandatory. The government clarified in Parliament that no law makes singing or playing of Vande Mataram mandatory. Along with this, there is no punitive provision related to this.

Constitutional status of Vande Mataram

Although Vande Mataram has the honorary status of the national song of India, it does not have the constitutional status like the national anthem Jana Gana Mana. This means that despite the immense value of patriotism in Vande Mataram, it cannot be implemented legally. Citizens are completely free to express their respect in different ways.

Supreme Court’s stance on compulsion

The Supreme Court has repeatedly said that no one can be forced to sing the national anthem, provided he does not disrespect it and just stands respectfully. Along with this, the court refused to make Vande Mataram mandatory and also emphasized that patriotism cannot be measured by any compulsion. Freedom of expression, protected under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution, gives individuals complete freedom to choose how they express national honour.

Madras High Court judgment 2017

In 2017, the Madras High Court had directed that Vande Mataram be sung in all schools and government offices in Tamil Nadu. But he also made it clear that if any person or organization has real difficulty or problem then it should not be forced. From this it became clear that this order is advisory and not mandatory.

Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act 1971

The Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act 1971 completely regulates the respect for the national flag and the national anthem, but it does not mention controlling the national anthem. Therefore, refusing to sing Vande Mataram is not a crime.

Also read: Why did Congress ban singing Vande Mataram, over which lines was the dispute?

A big statement of Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar has come out. In which he said that now the attendance of employees will be checked only after their presence in the national anthem. The uniform of government and private schools will now be the same, in which there will be no tie.

Education Minister Madan Dilawar said that in future we are also going to decide the uniform of teachers. Teachers will also have ID cards. Identity card will also be made mandatory for all students.

Academic session of education department will start from this month

Education Minister Madan Dilawar said that now the academic session of the Education Department will start from April 1 so that children will get books on time and they will get time to study during summer holidays. Till now the academic session used to start from July 1.

Madan Dilawar had participated in the Bhoomi Pujan program of Kota University auditorium today, during which he gave this information while addressing the media. Education Minister Madan Dilawar said that I have three departments. In such a situation, all three departments of Panchayati Raj, Education and Sanskrit departments will start with the national anthem in the morning and offices will close with the national anthem in the evening.

Attendance will start in the national anthem and anthem

An employee will be considered present only if he is present during the national anthem or anthem, otherwise he will be considered absent. Dilawar said that the parents will also be able to get information about the students coming to school.

He further said that soon parents will be able to get information on the number registered on Shala Darpan whether their child has reached school or not. We have started preparations regarding this, this system will be implemented soon.