‘Attack on freedom of religion’: Jamiat objects to mandatory singing of all stanzas of Vande Mataram

The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind , one of India’s oldest Muslim socio-religious organisations, has criticised the Centre’s recent directive mandating the singing of all six stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram at official functions, calling it “unilateral” and a violation of constitutional guarantees on religious freedom.

The objection follows an order issued by the Union Home Ministry on January 28, which laid down the first detailed protocol for singing Vande Mataram . The order states that all six stanzas, lasting 3 minutes and 10 seconds, must be sung at official events such as the arrival of the President, unfurling of the national flag and governors’ addresses, and that the national song must precede the national anthem Jan Gana Man when both are rendered together.

Jamiat president Arshad Madani said Muslims do not oppose the singing of Vande Mataram and do not prevent others from doing so. However, he argued that some stanzas of the song, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay , describe the nation in divine terms, which conflicts with the monotheistic beliefs of Islam. Forcing Muslims to sing all verses, he said, amounts to coercion and violates Article 25 , which guarantees freedom of conscience and religion.

Legal and constitutional experts note that the controversy centres on compulsion rather than patriotism. While the State may promote national symbols and prescribe decorum at official events, they say forcing individuals to recite words that conflict with their beliefs raises constitutional concerns. Indian law, they point out, does not require citizens to sing national songs or the anthem, only to show respect.

They also cite the Supreme Court’s landmark Bijoe Emmanuel vs State of Kerala (1986) judgment, which held that students who stood respectfully but refused to sing the national anthem on religious grounds could not be penalised, affirming that patriotism cannot be forced and that freedom of conscience is constitutionally protected.

As the Centre marks 150 years of Vande Mataram , critics warn that mandatory enforcement without accommodation for religious conscience could invite legal scrutiny and deepen social divisions.