Vande Mataram Debate Intensifies After Madani Remarks
- Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind chief links Vande Mataram to religious beliefs
- Madani cites constitutional rights while defending his stand
Hyderabad: The debate around Vande Mataram grew sharper after Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani made strong remarks during a special debate in Parliament on the song’s 150th anniversary. He said that Muslims are ready to die but will not recite the full version of Vande Mataram. His comments drew wider attention as lawmakers discussed the national song in both houses.
Madani said, “Muslims cannot recite the full version of Vande mataram because some verses of the song are against islamic beliefs.” He added that parts of the song describe the country in the form of Durga Mata and that such expressions relate to worship. He argued that worship goes against Islamic principles. “We accept death. But we do not worship anyone but Allah,” Madani said. He also stated that Article 25 and Article 19 give Indian citizens the right not to say or sing anything against their faith.
Madani then referred to the Supreme Court and said it had earlier commented that no citizen should be forced to sing a song that violates their beliefs. He said that Vande Mataram should not become a political issue and must remain within the limits of constitutional rights and mutual respect. Meanwhile, he recalled that Rabindranath Tagore advised Jawaharlal Nehru in 1937 to accept only the first two stanzas because the other stanzas could be against monotheistic religions.
Based on that advice, Madani said that the Congress Working Committee approved only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram as the national anthem. He stressed that love for the country and worship are different. He also said that Muslims played a key role in India’s freedom struggle and therefore do not need certificates of patriotism from anyone. His remarks therefore added new energy to an already sensitive national debate.
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