BENGALURU: The Karnataka government’s decision to restrict the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ to its first two stanzas at most official government programmes has been challenged before the Karnataka High Court, with advocate Girish Bharadwaj filing a writ petition questioning the state’s authority to impose such a restriction through an executive order.
The petition challenges the state government’s September 8 order issued following a Cabinet decision. Under the order, only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ are to be sung at government functions, except programmes attended by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor.
PIL Moved In Karnataka High Court Against State Govt Order Directing Singing Of Only First-Two Stanzas Of 'Vande Mataram' Songhttps://t.co/W6OaeLDN5D
— Girish Bharadwaj (@Girishbdwj) September 15, 2026
Bharadwaj has sought a stay on implementing the government order, arguing that the state government lacks the legal authority to alter or limit how the national song is to be rendered. He has contended that something which cannot be done through legislation cannot be introduced merely through an administrative order.
The legal challenge comes amid a debate over the protocol governing the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ at official functions. The petitioner has questioned the decision to prescribe only two stanzas and is seeking judicial intervention against the September 8 directive.
According to the government order, the decision aimed to maintain uniformity, dignity, and appropriate protocol during government functions and ceremonies across the state. The government has referred to the nature and circumstances of different official programmes while laying down the protocol.
The order also distinguishes between programmes attended by the country’s highest constitutional authorities and other government events. While functions involving the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Governor have been kept outside the two-stanza restriction, other government programmes are covered by the new directive.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to the historical and constitutional significance of ‘Vande Mataram’. The song played an important role during India’s national movement and became closely associated with patriotism, national unity, and the freedom struggle.
The Union government’s Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines on the official version of ‘Vande Mataram’ and when it may be sung or played at government and public functions. The guidelines distinguish between instrumental renditions and collective singing.
The Karnataka government has cited the need for appropriate protocol in framing its latest order. It has maintained that government functions vary considerably in their nature and that a standardised practice would help ensure consistency and dignity during official ceremonies.
However, the petitioner has questioned whether an executive direction can legally restrict the rendition of the song to only two stanzas. The writ petition is therefore expected to bring before the High Court questions concerning the scope of the state government’s administrative powers and the legal framework governing the national song.
The plea also seeks an interim stay on the September 8 order while the court considers the broader legal challenge. The petitioner has argued that the restriction cannot be sustained based on a single decision alone.
The development follows an incident in which Gangavathi MLA Janardhana Reddy reportedly had the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ sung at a public service programme despite the state government’s directive.
