Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Slams MHA's Mandatory Vande Mataram Directive as 'Unilateral and Coercive'
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a directive mandating that all six stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram must be sung at official government events. This includes occasions such as the arrival of the President, the unfurling of the national flag, and speeches by governors. The order, which specifies a duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds for the performance, has been communicated to police chiefs and chief secretaries across all states and Union Territories.
Strong Opposition from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind
In response, the prominent Muslim organization Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has vehemently criticized the move, labeling it as "unilateral" and "arbitrary." The group's president, Maulana Arshad Madani, released a statement on Thursday asserting that this decision constitutes a "blatant attack" on the freedom of religion enshrined in the Indian Constitution. He argued that while Muslims do not oppose others singing Vande Mataram, certain verses of the song depict the homeland as a deity, which conflicts with the monotheistic beliefs of Islam and other faiths.
Constitutional Concerns Raised
Madani emphasized that forcing Muslims to sing these stanzas violates Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion. He cited several Supreme Court judgments in support of this view, stating that the mandate undermines democratic principles and the spirit of the Constitution. "Making Vande Mataram compulsory is a clear assault on the Constitution, religious freedom, and democratic values," he declared.
Political Motivations Alleged
The Jamiat leader further accused the government of using this directive for political gains, describing it as a reflection of electoral politics and a sectarian agenda. He claimed that such measures are designed to divert public attention from more pressing fundamental issues. Madani stressed that patriotism should be measured by character and sacrifice, not by enforced slogans, pointing to the historical contributions of Muslims and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind in India's freedom struggle.
Parliamentary Debate and Broader Criticism
This controversy has also echoed in Parliament, where Muslim MPs, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, have opposed the mandatory imposition of Vande Mataram. During a recent Lok Sabha debate, Owaisi argued that equating nationalism with religious devotion by calling Bharat a deity is unconstitutional. He reiterated that singing Vande Mataram cannot be a yardstick for patriotism and that forcing it upon citizens contradicts Supreme Court orders.
The MHA's protocol aims to standardize the rendition of Vande Mataram at state functions, but it has sparked a significant backlash from minority communities and civil rights advocates. Critics warn that this move could weaken national unity and peace, highlighting the ongoing tension between cultural nationalism and individual religious freedoms in India.
