Stories
Heated SC Exchange: SG Mehta Calls Vande Mataram Critics 'Naxalites'
M
Moneycontrol•22-09-2026, 15:01
Heated SC Exchange: SG Mehta Calls Vande Mataram Critics 'Naxalites'
- •A heated exchange occurred in the Supreme Court between SG Tushar Mehta and senior advocate Dr S Muralidhar during the hearing of musician TM Krishna’s Vande Mataram plea.
- •Muralidhar argued that the Vande Mataram amendment lacked adequate deliberation and national consensus, advocating for public opinion over a 'top down approach' to law-making.
- •Mehta responded by stating, 'Law-making cannot be as per the Naxalites idea,' leading to strong objections from Muralidhar who demanded a withdrawal of the remark.
- •Despite objections, Mehta reiterated his stance, asserting he was referring to the constitutional process of law-making and was 'not sorry about it'.
- •Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi intervened, urging focus on legal issues, with Justice Bagchi noting that even those labeled 'Naxalite' retain constitutional rights.
Key Questions Answered
A heated argument erupted during musician TM Krishna’s Vande Mataram plea hearing after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta used the term "Naxalites" while responding to Dr. S. Muralidhar's argument that a recent statutory amendment for the national song lacked adequate deliberation and public consensus.
The petition challenged the constitutional validity of the 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which granted the national song Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the national anthem.
The Supreme Court bench directed the Central government to file a counter-affidavit and respond to the petition within two weeks.
