The usage of the expression “may” and not “shall” means it was not mandatory and involved no penal action for disobedience. “You have vague apprehensions, which do not have any nexus with the circular,” the bench told the petitioner on Wednesday. Hegde expressed apprehension that an individual who chooses not to sing Vande Mataram because of their religious beliefs might be subjected to “discrimination” or harassment. “It will dilute the national anthem as Vande Mataram has to be sung first,” Hegde argued. “We will hear all these issues when there are penal consequences (for disobeying the circular) or (singing Vande Mataram) is made mandatory.

Source: The Telegraph March 26, 2026 06:21 UTC