Jamiat Labels Mandatory Vande Mataram Order Attack on Religious Freedom

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has strongly criticised the Union government’s recent directive mandating the singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram at government functions and in schools. Calling the move a “blatant attack on religious freedom,” the organisation said the decision violates constitutional protections and disregards the religious sensitivities of minorities. The guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 28, require the complete rendition of the national song before the National Anthem at official events.

Jamiat President Maulana Arshad Madani argued that certain verses of Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, portray the nation as a deity, which conflicts with the monotheistic principles of Islam and other faiths. He stated that Muslims worship only Allah and cannot participate in any act perceived as associating partners with God. In a post on X, Madani maintained that compelling Muslims to sing the song contravenes Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.

Describing the directive as “unilateral and coercive,” Madani alleged that it reflects a broader attempt to curtail minority rights. He contended that patriotism cannot be measured by mandatory recitations and that true love for the nation is demonstrated through character and sacrifice. The Jamiat leader also asserted that the decision risks undermining communal harmony, democratic values, and the constitutional framework of the country.

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The controversy revives a long-standing debate over Vande Mataram, parts of which were excluded when it was adopted as the national song in 1937. At the time, certain stanzas referencing the nation as goddess Durga were set aside due to concerns that they could hurt the religious sentiments of non-Hindus. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has historically advocated for including the full version, arguing that it reflects the song’s original spirit.

The Centre has not issued a detailed response to the criticism but has maintained that the guidelines aim to standardise protocol at official events. As the debate intensifies, legal and political observers note that the issue touches upon the delicate balance between expressions of national identity and the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. The matter is likely to continue generating discussion across political and civil society platforms in the coming weeks.

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