CHENNAI: Observing that private schools in the State must follow singing of National Anthem as part of their curriculum, Madras High Court has directed the state and the Centre to check and ensure that it was sung at the school assembly.
The first bench of Chief Justice SK Kaul and Justice MM Sundresh gave the direction while disposing of a PIL from ex-serviceman N Selvathirumal, now working with the Railway Claims Tribunal.
The authorities concerned should verify whether the National Anthem was sung in the private schools or it remained only in paper and ensure that it transpired into reality, the bench said. Petitioner alleged the National Anthem was not sung in almost all the private schools in Tamil Nadu. As per Article 51A(a) of the Constitution all citizens of India are required to abide by the Constitution, respect its ideals, the National Flag and Anthem, Keeping in mind the mandate of the Constitution, the respect for the anthem and the national Flag are to be followed, the circulars believed to be issued by the CBSE said.