Madras HC makes singing of national anthem mandatory in all schools in state [Read Order]

Madras High Court has made singing of national anthem mandatory for all the schools in the state, including the private schools.

This order was passed by the First Bench comprising of the Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M.M.Sundresh in a PIL filed by one Mr. N.Selvathirumal, an Ex-serviceman who approached this Court aggrieved by the non-singing of the National Anthem in various Schools in Tamil Nadu.

The stand of the respondents in the writ petition including the Union of India and Schools was that the National Anthem ought to be sung and is being sung, but the petitioner submitted that the ground reality is that it is not being sung. CBSE submitted that it has notified that the schools must strictly comply the orders relating to National Anthem of India.

The Court observed “We would expect that keeping in mind the mandate of the Constitution of India, the respect for the National Anthem and the National Flag, the Circulars issued by the CBSE and the other authorities, singing of the National Anthem would be taking place in various Institutions. The private Schools must follow such singing of the National Anthem as part of their curriculum.”

Read the order here.