General
Delhi High Court notice on PIL for equal status to ‘Vande Mataram’ with ‘Jana Gana Mana’
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Centre’s stand on a plea seeking directions for ‘Vande Mataram’, a poem which had played a historic role in the struggle for India’s freedom, to be “honoured equally” with ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and be given an “equal” status.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay sought direction to respondents, including the Central government and Delhi government to ensure that ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ are played and sung in all schools and educational institutions on every working day.
Issuing notice in the matter, a division bench presided over by Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Sachin Datta directed the central government to file its response within six weeks.
After hearing the submissions of Upadhyay, the bench posted the matter for November 9.
During the course of the hearing, the petitioner submitted that there are no guidelines and ‘Vande Mataram’ is being played in distorted manner which is contrary to the statement made by Dr Rajendra Prasad in the Constituent Assembly.
The PIL contended that on January 24, 1950, Constituent Assembly Chairman Dr Rajendra Prasad said: “There is one matter which has been pending for discussion, namely the question of the National Anthem. At one time, it was thought that the matter might be brought up before the House and a decision taken by the House by way of a resolution. But it has been felt that, instead of taking a formal decision by means of resolution, it is better if I make a statement with regard to the national anthem.
“Accordingly, I make this statement. Composition consisting of the words and music known as ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is the ‘National Anthem of India’, subject to such alternations in the words, as the Government may authorise as occasions arises; and the song ‘Vande Mataram’, which has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honoured equally with ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and shall have equal status with it. I hope this will satisfy the members.”
The plea stated that ‘Vande Mataram’ is the symbol of our history, sovereignty, unity and pride. If any citizen by any overt or covert act shows disrespect to it, it would not only be an anti-social activity but it would also spell doom to all our rights and very existence as a citizen of a sovereign nation. Every citizen must therefore not only refrain from any such activities but also do his best to prevent if any miscreant tries to show any disrespect to ‘Vande Mataram’.
“We must be proud of our Nation, our Constitution, National Anthem and National Flag and put national interest above our personal interests and only then will we be able to protect our hard-earned freedom and sovereignty. It is the duty of the executive to frame a national policy to promote and propagate ‘Vande Mataram’,” it read.
Maharashtra
The government should immediately withdraw the FIRs registered against schools in Mumbai’s slum areas, make them permanent by relaxing the conditions: Abu Asim Azmi

Mumbai, June 24, 2026: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and MLA from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, Abu Asim Azmi, raised the issue of private schools running in slums (slum areas) in the House during the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly. He has demanded that the FIR registered against the principal, secretaries and chairman of these schools be withdrawn immediately and these schools should be saved from closure. Addressing the House, Abu Asim Azmi said, “My constituency Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar is a very poor and backward area. Around 30 to 35 thousand children are studying in private schools here. The capacity of BMC schools in this area has been completely exhausted and there is a long waiting list of children for new admissions. In such a situation, these private schools are the only support for the education of poor children.
Key demands and points:
Relaxation of conditions and regularization
The conditions of the government for approving schools such as open space, playground, etc. are practically impossible to meet in slum areas. Therefore, the government should make special laws for these areas and regularize them. FIRs registered against the management of these schools in Shivaji Nagar and Deonar police stations The R should be withdrawn immediately. He said that the result of these schools is more than 90 percent and their educational standard is better than BMC schools. Here, teachers are teaching children for a meager salary of just Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 7,000. He added that there has been a delay in the formation of the committee. In the last meeting, the government had also assured to form an inquiry committee on this issue, but no committee has been formed so far. Abu Asim Azmi warned that if these schools are closed due to administrative action, the future of 30 to 35 thousand poor children will be completely dark. He has strongly appealed to the government to intervene in this matter immediately.
Maharashtra
Fake BMC Deputy Commissioner Altaf Sheikh arrested

Mumbai: Crime Branch claims to have arrested a young man who used to deceive people by posing as BMC Deputy Commissioner. The Crime Branch investigated the complaint of a 45-year-old man named Altaf Sheikh and found the complaint to be valid, after which the Crime Branch laid a trap and arrested him. He also used to use a car with a light. Apart from this, an identity card was also recovered from his possession, a fake sticker of the Government of India and a fake card were also recovered. The accused used to use an official visiting card and used to declare himself as BMC Deputy Commissioner. He was arrested from Malad in a car with a light. This operation was carried out by DCP Raj Tilak Roshan of Mumbai Crime Branch.
Maharashtra
Murder in Mumbai local train over dispute over closing door during rain

Mumbai: Tension has flared up in a sensational murder on a Mumbai local train. A passenger was stabbed to death by another passenger on a Mumbai local train. The incident took place at around 10 pm on Tuesday. Police said the deceased passenger has been identified as Mayank Lohar (22). The accused has been identified and six teams have been deployed by the Railway Police to arrest him. After this incident, once again the issue of travel safety has come to the fore. A person was stabbed to death on a Mumbai local train at around 10 pm on Tuesday, June 23. Police said the incident took place in a first class compartment. The incident took place between Borivali and Andheri stations. During heavy rain, an argument broke out over closing the door of the train and it escalated. During this, one passenger stabbed another passenger to death. According to Railway Police sources, after the argument, other people beat up the accused. The enraged accused took out a knife from his bag and attacked Mayank, killing him. The attacker got off the train at Borivali station before it stopped and fled. After the incident, the Railway Police has formed six teams to arrest the accused and the police have also started a search operation and search campaign.
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