Karnataka: Government defends two-stanza Vande Mataram order in High Court

The Karnataka government defended its decision to restrict Vande Mataram to two stanzas at state events before the High Court, arguing that singing the national song is optional, unlike the national anthem. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty noted that MHA guidelines are non-binding and cited historical precedence since 1932. The petitioner argued the state lacks authority to alter the song, citing 2026 legal protections. The court deferred the hearing pending a related Supreme Court case.