India, Sept. 22 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Centre's response to Carnatic musician T M Krishna's challenge against penal protection for Vande Mataram. The hearing also witnessed a sharp exchange over Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's reference to "Naxalites".

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard the petition. Senior advocate S Muralidhar appeared for Krishna.

The petition challenges the 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. It also questions Ministry of Home Affairs directions requiring all six stanzas of Vande Mataram to be sung at official functions.

The amended law provides imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both, for ...