AIMPLB opposes Centre’s Vande Mataram directive
The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Thursday termed the Centre’s mandate of singing of all six stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram “unconstitutional”, and said it will move court if the Government does not withdraw the order.
The assertion came after the Union Home Ministry directed that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, shall be sung first when the national song and national anthem Jan Gana Man are to be played together.
In an order dated January 28, the Home Ministry gave the first set of protocols for singing the national song, directing that six stanzas of it, having a duration of 3 minutes 10 seconds, shall be sung on official functions such as the arrival of the President, unfurling of the tricolour, and speeches of governors.
The AIMPLB strongly objected to the Central Government’s order and described the decision as “unconstitutional and contrary to religious freedom”.
In a press statement, the board’s General Secretary, Maulana Mohammed Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, expressed strong Opposition to the Government’s decision, terming it unconstitutional, against religious freedom and secular values, contrary to the Supreme Court judgment, and in direct conflict with the religious beliefs of Muslims.
