Terming the government's order on Vande Mataram as unconstitutional and unacceptable, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Thursday demanded its withdrawal, and warned that it would move to court.
According to the Home Ministry directive, all six stanzas of Vande Mataram shall be sung in schools and at official functions.
"The central government's notification making it mandatory to recite 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," said the AIMPLB in a post on X.
"Muslims worship only one God: Allah, without a partner, and Islam does not permit any form of associating partners with God. Indian courts have also held that the many verses of song are inconsistent with secular values and have restricted their recitation."
ALSO READ: Vande Mataram: Order Regarding the National Song of India — Read The Full Notification Here
Demanding the withdrawal with immediate effect, AIMPLB said that it will challange the order in court if the order is not taken back.
In a statement, expressing strong opposition to the government's decision, the Board's General Secretary, Maulana Mohammed Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi said 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.
ALSO READ: Vande Mataram Protocol: Standing Not Mandatory During Film Screenings
He further stated that a secular government cannot forcibly impose the beliefs or teachings of one religion upon followers of other religions.
"The song was written in the context of Bengal and contains references to the worship and veneration of Durga and other deities. 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," Mujaddidi noted.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
