Supreme Court seeks government response in national song challenge

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Union government to a petition challenging the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, The Hindu reports. The petition was filed by T.M. Krishna, a Carnatic vocalist and author.

The supplied report says the court addressed the relationship between a state’s authority to prescribe a national song and the position of people who conscientiously object to it. The court said a state can set a national song but cannot subject conscientious objectors to penal action, according to the report. The material does not set out the full wording of the law, the penalty being challenged or the specific conduct that led Krishna to approach the court.

The request for the Union government’s response means the challenge remains before the court. No final ruling on the validity of the amendment was reported in the supplied material. The source also does not state the date of the next hearing, the government’s position or whether any interim order was made.

It provides no additional details about Krishna’s arguments beyond identifying him as the petitioner and describing the legislation under challenge. The case concerns the limits of state action in relation to a national song and people who object to participating on grounds of conscience. The court’s reported observation distinguishes between establishing a national song and imposing penal consequences on conscientious objectors.

Further proceedings will depend on the Union government’s response, which the court has requested.