People at liberty to recite Vande Mataram or not, rules HC

Lucknow, Sep 6 (UNI) The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court today ruled that the recital of Vande Mataram cannot be forced.

Disposing of a PIL seeking compulsory recitation of Vande Mataram tomorrow at schools and government offices, the Court observed since the matter was not related to the violation of fundamental and constitutional rights, the respondents which included Uttar Pradesh government could not be issued mandamus.

A division bench comprising Justices Pradeep Kant and B V Agarwal passed the order on the PIL filed by Bharat Nath Shukla and others.

The petitioner had contended the national song was equally important as national anthem, since it was associated with the country's freedom struggle.

MORE UNI XC-VS YA MIR HT1950