New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Thursday criticised the Centre over reports that the Union Cabinet had decided to grant “Vande Mataram” a status equal to the National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana” and make all six stanzas compulsory in schools, colleges, and government institutions.
The Board linked the reported move to what it described as a “majoritarian nationalist agenda” following the BJP’s controversial victory in West Bengal, where opposition parties have alleged electoral manipulation.
AIMPLB spokesperson Dr. S. Q. R. Ilyas called the decision “an assault on the Constitution and India’s secular foundations.” He alleged that the government was attempting to impose a singular cultural identity on a diverse country.
“This is not patriotism. This is coercive nationalism wrapped in religious symbolism,” Dr. Ilyas said. “A secular democracy cannot compel citizens to participate in practices that violate their faith.”
The Board objected to the inclusion of all six stanzas of “Vande Mataram,” stating that later verses contain references to Hindu deities such as Goddess Durga, which conflict with Islamic beliefs centred on the oneness of God.
Dr. Ilyas referred to Rabindranath Tagore’s reported 1937 advice that only the first two stanzas should be publicly used due to the religious content in later portions. He also pointed out that the Constituent Assembly adopted a similar position in 1950 while recognising “Vande Mataram” as the National Song.
The AIMPLB warned that compulsory use of all six stanzas would weaken constitutional consensus and deepen communal tensions. The organisation said it would approach the courts if the reported order is implemented.
