Bengaluru, Sept. 15 -- A public interest litigation has been filed before the Karnataka High Court challenging the State Government's order dated September 8, mandating that only the first two stanzas of the National Song 'Vande Mataram' be sung at state functions, except those attended by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor.

The plea, filed by Advocate Girish Bharadwaj through Advocate Angad Kamath, is expected to be mentioned today for listing. The order, issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms following a Cabinet decision on September 3, is alleged to conflict with the Union Government's protocol.

The petitioner points to a July 9 letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs that mandates th...