Muslim Board and Left Parties Unite Against Mandatory Vande Mataram Recitation Order
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has launched a strong protest against the central government's recent notification that mandates the recitation of all six verses of 'Vande Mataram' at official functions and in schools before the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The prominent Muslim body has categorically termed this decision "unconstitutional and contrary to religious freedom" and has demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification, threatening legal action if the government fails to comply.
Widespread Opposition from Multiple Quarters
Both factions of the influential Muslim organization Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind have joined the AIMPLB in raising serious objections to the government's order. Meanwhile, Left political parties including the CPI(M) and CPI have also come forward to oppose the Ministry of Home Affairs directive. The CPI(M) has specifically demanded that the government "uphold the spirit of the Constitution and immediately withdraw this order," accusing the BJP-led union government of creating "an unnecessary controversy concerning the national song and the national anthem with ulterior motives."
The Left party emphasized that "the BJP government should not be allowed to play with such historic cultural symbols" and highlighted constitutional provisions regarding national symbols. They pointed out that "the Constitution of India clearly states in Article 51A(a) that it is the duty of every citizen to respect the national flag and the national anthem."
Constitutional and Historical Concerns Raised
The opposition parties have raised significant constitutional and historical concerns about the government's order. The CPI(M) noted that "after thorough deliberation, the constituent assembly adopted the statement made by President Rajendra Prasad concerning the national song, whose two stanzas only would be sung." They added that "through its recent order, the government seeks to include the remaining four stanzas, which the constituent assembly felt did not resonate the secular character of the Indian Republic."
CPI's Rajya Sabha MP Sandosh Kumar P accused the government of "cynically weaponising culture to polarise the people" and stated that "our position is clear: for us, the country comes first; for the BJP, elections come first." He further alleged that "it is deeply ironic that those who had no role in the freedom struggle and remained subservient to British colonialism now claim the authority to issue certificates of nationalism."
Religious Freedom and Constitutional Rights at Stake
AIMPLB general secretary Maulana Mohammed Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi elaborated on the religious objections, stating that the MHA order was "unconstitutional, against religious freedom and secular values, contrary to Supreme Court judgment, and directly conflicting with the religious beliefs of Muslims." He emphasized that "whatever the political considerations behind implementing this decision ahead of the West Bengal elections, Muslims cannot accept it, as it directly conflicts with their faith."
Maulana Mujaddidi explained that following Rabindranath Tagore's advice and deliberations in the Constituent Assembly, it had been agreed that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram would be used. He stated that "a secular government cannot forcibly impose the beliefs or teachings of one religion upon followers of other religions" and noted that the song contains references to the worship and veneration of Durga and other deities, which conflicts with Islamic monotheism.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind's Strong Stance
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani described the government order as "biased" and alleged it was "a conspiracy to snatch the religious freedom" granted to all citizens by the Constitution of India. He further claimed that the Central government's order on Vande Mataram was a "unilateral and coercive decision" reflecting "a systematic attempt to curtail the constitutional rights of minorities."
Maulana Madani clarified that "Muslims do not prevent anyone from singing or playing 'Vande Mataram'; however, some verses of the song are based on beliefs that portray the homeland as a deity, which contradict the fundamental belief of monotheistic religions." He emphasized that "since a Muslim worships only one Allah, forcing him to sing this song is a clear violation of Article 25 of the Constitution and several judgments of the Supreme Court."
Constitutional Principles and National Integration
In a statement from the Maulana Mahmood Madani-led faction of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, general secretary Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi stated that "if the majority community wishes to recite it, they are fully entitled to do so. However, making it mandatory for all citizens would amount to imposing restrictions on religious freedom."
He emphasized that "the Constitution of India guarantees every citizen the inalienable right to profess, practice, and propagate his or her religion, and to live in accordance with one's faith and conscience." Therefore, "compelling any individual to recite a specific poem or composition that conflicts with his or her religious beliefs is contrary to the spirit and provisions of the Constitution."
Maulana Qasmi further stated that "India is a pluralistic and multi-religious nation where constitutional supremacy and the principle of 'unity in diversity' form the foundation of national integration. Any step that weakens this foundation cannot be in the interest of the country."
Political Reactions and Demands
The Trinamool Congress also lashed out at the government, alleging that the BJP was "Bangla-Birodhi" (anti-Bengal). The party claimed in a social media post that "in an official notification, @HMOIndia has distorted the original lyrics of Vande Mataram penned by Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in Anandamath."
The Muslim organizations have presented a united front, with the AIMPLB general secretary asserting that "the Board demands that the Central Government immediately withdraw the notification; otherwise, the Board will challenge it in the court." Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has strongly urged "the Government of India to review the said circular in light of constitutional provisions, judicial precedents, and the diverse social fabric of the nation, so that religious liberty, constitutional dignity, and social harmony may be preserved."
The opposition parties and Muslim organizations have made it clear that "the Muslims of India hold a unanimous and unequivocal position that any decision undermining religious freedom will not be accepted," setting the stage for a potential legal and political confrontation over this contentious issue.
