The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Centre on two petitions challenging the Union Government’s orders prescribing the six-stanza version of ‘Vande Mataram’ for singing and playing on specified occasions, including at schools and official functions.

The bench Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notice on petitions filed by Bhimrao Duryodhan Borkar, a Buddhist activist and former national president of the All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF), and former IAS officer Balakrishnan Sathyabhama Mavoji.

The Supreme Court is also considering a separate petition filed by Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna challenging the mandatory singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, raising concerns over religious freedom and the right of individuals to refrain from singing on grounds of conscience.

The petitioners have challenged the Ministry of Home Affairs’ orders dated January 28 and July 9, 2026, contending that the Centre lacks the statutory or constitutional authority to alter the version of the National Song followed since Independence through executive directions.

The petitioners have sought quashing of the January 28 and July 9 orders and a direction restraining the Centre from compelling the singing or playing of the six-stanza version at governmental, ceremonial, educational or other specified occasions. They have also sought a declaration that the standalone two-stanza version alone should be recognised and performed as the National Song, and no person should face penal, civil or administrative consequences for abstaining from singing or playing it.