KOLKATA: A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Thursday questioned the admissibility of a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the comprehensive guidelines issued by the Central government on the official protocol for the rendition of the country's national song 'Vande Mataram'.
The division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen directed the petitioner to place before the court logical evidence to establish the admissibility of the PIL.
As the matter came up for hearing on Thursday afternoon, Additional Solicitor General Ashoke Chakraborty first raised the issue of admissibility of the PIL. He argued that the public interest litigation was entirely in the self-interest of the petitioner.
“The issues like the country's sovereignty and national security are involved with the national song of the country. Can the matter really be adjudicated by the court? The petitioner should first prove the basis of this public interest litigation. Otherwise, he should face an exemplary penalty, ” Chakraborty argued.