Hyderabad: As the imposition of Vande Mataram issue is hotting up, Telangana Muslim religious, social, and political leaders have sought exemption for Muslims from the mandatory recitation of Vande Mataram before the national anthem, stating that while they do not object to others reciting the song, they cannot compromise on matters concerning their faith.
The demand was made at an all-party round table conference held here today under the chairmanship of Mohammad Mushtaq Malik, President of Tehreek Muslim Shaban and the Sharia Decision Board. The meeting was convened in response to the Union government’s directive requiring the recitation of Vande Mataram prior to the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
Participants unanimously passed a resolution stating that non-Muslims are free to recite Vande Mataram, and Muslims have no objection to them doing so. However, they urged the government to exempt Muslims across India, particularly in Telangana, from being required to recite or mandatorily show respect to the song.
The resolution emphasized that Muslims would not compromise on the protection of their faith and beliefs. It stated that Indian Muslims believe in the oneness of Allah as the sole Creator and Sustainer and cannot bow before or revere any entity in a manner inconsistent with Islamic monotheism. The gathering appealed to Muslims to safeguard their faith and refrain from participating in expressions they view as religiously impermissible.
Speakers at the conference alleged that certain forces were attempting to polarize the country along religious lines for political purposes. They called upon citizens to resist such efforts, asserting that national unity and integrity depend on mutual respect for religious freedom.
Mohammad Mushtaq Malik said the present challenges require collective and united action. He described the insistence on reciting Vande Mataram as contrary to the spirit of the Constitution of India, which guarantees freedom of religion. He alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party were attempting to curtail constitutional freedoms. He also urged the community to rise above sectarian and group differences and work together to address what he termed injustice and coercion.
He announced that a broader campaign against the mandatory recitation of the song would be launched after Ramadan.
The meeting commenced with a recitation from the Qur’an by Hafiz Abdul Hafeez. Among those present were Dr. Aleem Khan Falaki, Akhtar Ali, Dr. Islamuddin Mujahid, Professor Anwar, Shakeel Deccani, Shakeel Advocate, Jafar Hussain Sada-e-Hussaini, Akbar Hussain, Abdul Haq, and Maulana Syed Hamid Hussain Shuttari.
