Muslim bodies oppose Vande Mataram notification, allege it is against Constitution

The Central government’s notification making it mandatory to recite all verses of Vande Mataram has run into opposition from Muslim bodies. Led by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, they called upon the government to withdraw the notification failing which they would approach the Supreme Court.

“Making recitation of all verses of Vande Mataram in schools and official functions is unconstitutional, against religious freedom, secular values, and contrary to the Supreme Court’s Judgment,’ All India Muslim Personal Law Board spokesperson S.Q.R. Ilyas said.

The song, he claimed, contains references to the worship and veneration of Durga and other deities, which contradicts the beliefs of Muslims. “It is entirely unacceptable. Muslims worship only one God; Allah, without partner, and Islam does not permit any form of associating partners with God,” he said, adding, “Indian courts have also held that the many verses of song are inconsistent with secular values and have restricted their recitation.”

He urged the government to “immediately withdraw this notification”.

Meanwhile, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Arshad Madani called it “a blatant attack on religious freedom” of the minorities. He reiterated that some verses of the song were based on beliefs that portray the homeland as a deity. “It contradicts the belief of monotheistic religions,” Mr. Madani said.

Pointing out that some verses of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s song run counter to the fundamental belief of the Muslim community, Mr. Madani said, “A notification of this nature runs the risk of fracturing the social fabric of the country. Forcing a Muslim to sing this song is in direct contravention to Article 25 of the Constitution besides several judgement of the Supreme Court. Making this song mandatory and attempting to impose it on citizens is not an expression of patriotism. Instead, it reflects electoral politics, a sectarian agenda, and a deliberate effort to divert public attention from fundamental issues.”

In a press statement, the Board’s general secretary, Mohammed Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, expressed strong opposition to the government’s decision. Calling it “contrary to Supreme Court’s judgements, he said the move was “unconstitutional, against religious freedom and secular values and directly conflicted with the religious beliefs of Muslims.” He noted 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.

“A secular government should not impose the beliefs or teachings of one religion upon followers of other religions. The song was written in the context of Bengal. 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,” Mr. Mujaddidi said.

Earlier on January 27, the Home Ministry issued the notification for singing the National Song, directing that all six stanzas shall be sung on official functions besides schools.