The Supreme Court told the government that those refusing to sing Vande Mataram on grounds of conscience should not face penal consequences. The court cited its 1986 judgment that protected schoolchildren who respectfully declined to sing the national anthem.

The Supreme Court told the government that those refusing to sing Vande Mataram on grounds of conscience should not face penal consequences. The court cited its 1986 judgment that protected schoolchildren who respectfully declined to sing the national anthem.