ISLAMABAD: India’s Union Home Ministry (Federal Ministry of Interior) issued a directive on Thursday, Feb. 12, that the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ must be sung, in its entirety of six stanzas, at all official and cultural events.
The directive further stated that, “The national song should be sung first and the audience must stand up whenever it is played.” Moreover, it must be sung before and after the arrival of the President, at all flag hoisting ceremonies and even at all everyday assemblies in schools, in its entirety.
In 1937, it was observed by the Congress-led government that since stanzas 4 to 6 identify India with Hindu goddesses, Durga and Lakshmi, it is against the fundamental principle of Islamic faith of Tawhid. Therefore, it was decided then, that only the first two stanzas will be adopted as the national song, as they only focus on the beauty of nature.
The origins of the song are also anti-Muslim as it originally appeared in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 1882 novel, "Anandamath", which historians describe as having strong anti-Muslim and xenophobic rhetoric. It depicts Muslims as "aliens and oppressors" who must be driven out by a movement led by Hindu monks.
Compelling Muslims to sing a song that violates their religious tenets is seen by many as a "violation of religious freedom" under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. This is the latest in a series of anti-Muslim and anti-minority steps taken by India's "Hindutva" ideology-led BJP government.
Indian media has reported that the move has already widened fault lines inside the country, with Muslim organizations and opposition parties publicly objecting that mandating the full six-stanza rendition risks turning a patriotic symbol into a test of conformity for minorities.
The episode underscores how India’s majoritarian politics is increasingly reshaping state practice and shrinking space for pluralism in the country.
.webp)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)