Row Over Vande Mataram In J-K: Why Muslim Groups Are Against Recitation Of National Song In Kashmir Schools?

Vande Mataram Row In Kashmir: The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), a body of Muslim religious organisations, on Wednesday objected to the compulsory recitation of Vande Mataram in government schools in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The directive has been issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Government's Department of Culture to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram. The MMU appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to withdraw the order, stating that it interferes with the religious beliefs of Muslims.

As part of a nationwide initiative to mark the 150th anniversary of the national anthem, the state government has decided to organise musical and cultural programmes from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026. This programmes have been specifically designed to instill a "deep sense of patriotism and national pride" among students, youth and citizens.

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Why Muslims Are Opposing Recitation Of Vande Mataram In Kashmir Schools?

The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema, which held a meeting chaired by Mirwaiz Maulvi Omar Farooq over the issue, expressed objection to making Vande Mataram compulsory in schools. The MMU termed reciting of Vande Mataram as un-Islamic because the song "contains expressions of devotion that contradict the fundamental Islamic belief in the absolute Oneness of Allah (Tawheed). Islam does not permit any act that involves worship or reverence directed to anyone or anything other than the Creator."

Therefore, the Muslim group believes that making it compulsory for Muslim students is inappropriate and an unnecessary interference in their religious matters. The group further alleged that there seems to be a conspiracy to create controversy among the people and push an RSS-driven Hindutva ideology.

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The MMU further stated that Islam teaches every Muslim to love their country and sacrifice everything for it. According to Islam, Muslims should serve their country and society, but refrain from activities that are against the fundamental principles of Islam and are unacceptable in Islam.

On October 1, the Union Cabinet approved country-wide celebrations for the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram', and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has outlined an extensive plan for nationwide celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a grand programme at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi to commemorate the completion of 150 years of Vande Mataram, the national song written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875.

(With ANI inputs)