Tuesday, March 15 2005 13:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government is opposed to any deletion or addition in the National Anthem or its substitution by another composition and is, therefore, contesting the writ petition in the Supreme Court; Lok Sabha was informed today (Mar 15, 2005).

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said that there was no move to delete the word Sindh from the National Anthem and it is going to be retained.

"We don't want to mutilate the National Anthem and our stand will be the same in the court. There is no difference," he said.

To another question on why northeastern region has not been included in the national anthem, Patil said, "The National Anthem reflects our culture whether it is north, south, east and west and it is not geographic but basically cultural aspect of the country."

The Home Minister said that Government has been receiving, from time to time, letters from various persons suggesting deletion, addition of words in the National Anthem or even its complete substitution by some other composition.

The Government is also aware of views articulated in the print and electronic media against any change in the national anthem, he said.

A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court by one Sanjeev Bhatnagar seeking an appropriate order or writ for deletion of the word "Sindh" from the National Anthem or its substitution by some other proper and approved word like "Kashmir", the Minister said.