Maulana Arshad Madani, head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (AM), distinguished between worshipping the nation and loving the country, emphasizing that the religious and historical issues associated with the national song Vande Mataram should not be used for political gain.

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Maulana Arshad Madani, head of the prominent Muslim organization Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (AM), distinguished between worshipping the nation and loving the country, emphasizing that the religious and historical issues associated with the national song Vande Mataram should not be used for political gain. According to a statement issued by the organization on Tuesday, Maulana Madani, while highlighting the principle of monotheism in Islam, said that the country’s largest minority community is not against anyone singing Vande Mataram.

He said, “We have no objection to anyone reciting or singing Vande Mataram, but we want to reiterate that Muslims worship only one God (Allah) and cannot associate anyone else with their worship.”

Against Islamic Faith
The senior Muslim leader said that some lines of the Vande Mataram poem are based on religious ideas that are against Islamic faith, especially in its four stanzas where the country is presented as a goddess like ‘Durga Mata’ and certain words are used for her worship, which are contrary to the fundamental beliefs of a Muslim.

Religious Freedom for Every Citizen
Madani said that the Indian Constitution grants every citizen religious freedom and freedom of expression, under which no citizen can be forced to adopt any slogan, song, or idea against their religious beliefs. According to him, the Supreme Court has also clearly ruled that no citizen can be forced to sing the national anthem or any other song that is against their religious beliefs.

Muslims’ Love for the Country
The Jamiat (AM) chief said, “Loving the country is one thing, and worshipping it is another. Muslims do not need any certificate to prove how much they love this country. The sacrifices of Muslims and the elders of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind in the freedom struggle, and especially Jamiat’s efforts against the partition of the country, are as clear as daylight.” Jamiat was founded in 1919.

Respect for Religious Beliefs
Maulana Madani emphasized that the debate surrounding Vande Mataram should be conducted within the framework of respect for religious beliefs and constitutional rights, and not as a matter of political accusations and counter-accusations. He appealed to the national leaders of all parties not to use such sensitive religious and historical issues for political gain, but to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and unity in the country. A discussion on Vande Mataram took place in the Lok Sabha on Monday and in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, marking the 150th anniversary of the national song.