‘Vande Matharam’ mandatory in government offices, institutions and private companies: Madras High Court

“A person who has difficulty in singing the national song will not be compelled or forced to sing it, provided there are valid reasons,” the court said. “Vande Mataram is of Sanskrit origin, and written in Bengali which is ought to be sung in every school and college,” ANI quoted Justice M.V Muralidharan as saying. The director of Public Information has been directed to upload and circulate the translated version of Vande Mataram in Tamil and English, thereby making it available in the government websites and also in the social media.  He further added that no person shall be compelled or forced to sing the National song, provided there are valid reasons for not singing it. “Let a copy of this order be marked to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Tamil Nadu, who shall issue appropriate instructions to the concerned authorities,” said Justice M.V Muralidharan. “The youth of this country are the future of tomorrow. This court hopes and trusts that this order shall be taken in the right spirit and also implemented in letter and spirit by the citizenry of this great nation,” he added. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is yet to make the decision on singing of Vande Mataram mandatory in schools.