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Supreme Court Rejects Challenge Over Prescribed Tune For Karnataka State Anthem
The has dismissed a challenging a Karnataka government order that prescribes a specific tune and duration for the state anthem, "Jayabharatha Jananiya Tanujate," emphasizing the necessity of in its rendition.
A bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan heard the matter on . The petition was filed by singer Kikkeri Krishnamurthy, who was represented by .
The Underlying Dispute
The case stemmed from a , Government Order that mandated the state anthem be sung for a duration of two and a half minutes, set to a specific tune composed by Mysore Ananthaswamy. Krishnamurthy had previously challenged this order before the , which dismissed his .
The High Court had observed that the raga was composed by an expert, and the petitioner’s argument that the government could not prescribe a raga was not tenable, as it did not infringe upon any rights.
The Core Legal Principle: Need for
The apex court’s reasoning was succinct and focused. The bench noted, “We note that there has to be in the rendition of the State Anthem both with regard to the raga as well as with regard to the duration of the song.”
This statement formed the crux of the court’s decision. The judges found no reason to interfere with the High Court's order, leading to the of the . The court’s order also in refiling and disposed of all pending applications.
Implications of the Judgment
This ruling upholds the state government's authority to prescribe a standard version of its anthem. The decision underscores that while artistic expression is valued, a state symbol like an anthem requires a fixed form to ensure respect and in official and public settings. The by the Supreme Court brings finality to this legal challenge, reinforcing the government's order.
