SC dismisses plea challenging Delhi High Court’s order refusing legal protection for ‘Vande Mataram’
The High Court had said that the love for the song does not need to be ‘enforced by the long arm of the law’.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a special leave petition against a Delhi High Court order, and refused to accord legal protection to ‘Vande Mataram’. In his plea, Gautam Morarka had sought the same legal protection for ‘Vande Mataram’ that is accorded to the national anthem, Live Law reported.
#SupremeCourt dismissed a PIL praying for appropriate statutory recognition required to be given to the song 'Vande Mataram' under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 which was enacted to prevent disrespect and insults to National Symbols.
— India Legal (@indialegalmedia) December 8, 2017
In October, the Delhi High Court bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar had rejected Morarka’s plea that sought an amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The court had noted that though the song had become “synonymous with valour and dedication and love for one’s motherland”, it does not need to be “enforced by the long arm of the law”.
The High Court bench asked Morarka to promote and popularise the song among youngsters by explaining its meaning and significance. “That may be a greater contribution by him to ‘Vande Mataram’,” the court had said.