Muslim Law Board Opposes Centre’s ‘Vande Mataram’ Directive, Says ‘It Is Unconstitutional’

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has termed the central government’s notification, making it mandatory to recite all verses of “Vande Mataram" in schools and official functions as “unconstitutional" and against “religious freedom and secular values."

In a statement, the AIMPLB said the directive contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment and violates the fundamental rights of religious minorities. The board argued that the song contains references to the worship and veneration of Durga and other deities, which are incompatible with Islamic beliefs.
The AIMPLB said Muslims worship only one God, Allah, without any partner, and Islam does not permit any form of associating partners with God. It maintained that the mandatory recitation of all verses is therefore unacceptable for Muslims.

The board also pointed out that Indian courts have previously held that several verses of the song are inconsistent with secular values and have restricted their recitation.