PIL in HC over Centre notice on ‘Vande Mataram’

Kolkata: A PIL was filed at Calcutta HC on Friday, challenging the Centre's recent notification by which a "full six-stanza" version of ‘Vande Mataram', the National Song, was mandated to be played before the National Anthem at all govt functions, schools and state ceremonies. The case is likely to be heard by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen next week. The PIL was filed by a lawyer challenging the Centre's Jan 28 notification.The Union home ministry issued guidelines mandating a six-stanza, 3-minute-and-10-second version of the song will be played or sung. The order came after the 150th anniversary celebrations of ‘Vande Mataram' were launched by PM Narendra Modi. tnn