‘States must take call on national anthem'

Union Minister of State for HRD Upendra Kushwaha made a statement in LS when he was asked whether the Centre proposes to make national anthem mandatory in all government and government-aided schools.  

“As education is in the concurrent list and a majority of schools are under the jurisdiction of state governments and UT, it is for them to take necessary action for observance of the above provisions of the RTE Act and the Constitution of India,” he said and added “Further, Article 51-A (a) of the Constitution of India mentions that it shall be the duty of every citizen to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the national flag and the national anthem.” 

Citing the RTE Act, 2009, he said it provides for free and compulsory education to every child from 6 to 14 in a neighbourhood school in all states and UTs except J&K. Section 29(2)(a) of the RTE Act provides that the academic authority, while fixing the curriculum and evaluation norms under sub-section (1), shall take into consideration conformity with the values enshrined in the Constitution.