HC dismisses PIL on row over Vande Matram in Meerut

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad high court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking directions for Meerut mayor to give due respect to the national song in municipal corporation house.

The bench comprising chief justice DB Bhosale and justice Suneet Kumar dismissed the petition filed by Ramakant Sharma, a resident of Meerut.

The petitioner had urged the court to direct the mayor to take steps to sensitise the people about their fundamental duty of respecting the national song and noble ideals that inspired the freedom struggle.

The petitioner said many councillors as well as the mayor were allegedly opposed to the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ in Meerut municipal corporation house.

He produced before the court the reports and photographs published in a newspaper where the mayor was seen sitting while ‘Vande Matram’ was being played.

The petitioner contended that to avoid any unpleasant situation, everyone should be sensitised about the importance of national song in the freedom struggle and a message should be given that the song had nothing to do with religious belief, though no one should be forced to sing it.

Dismissing the petition, the bench said it could neither direct the elected members or councillors to behave in a certain manner nor it could pass a direction to sensitise residents about their Fundamental Duties.