NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to examine at this stage whether the National Song should be limited to two stanzas or extended to six, but agreed to examine whether not singing it can be made a punishable offence.A bench led by CJI Surya Kant referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bijoe Emanuel, saying the law laid down in that case, that no one can be punished for not singing the National Anthem, continues to hold good.The apex court asked the centre to file its response to the PIL. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the centre, opposed the challenge and said those who do not bear allegiance to the Constitution and rule of law, and have a “naxalite mindset”, should not question the National Song while forgetting its role during the time of freedom struggle.The PIL petitioner has questioned the extension of the National Song from two to six stanzas and the provision seeking to make non-singing of it punishable.
