New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) Opposition leaders, including AJUP Chairman Humayun Kabir on Thursday criticised the West Bengal government’s decision to expand the mandatory recital of Vande Mataram to madrasas across the state, saying the move should not be imposed on religious institutions and may create unnecessary tensions.

Humayun Kabir opposed the decision and said that the Constitution grants every citizen the freedom to observe their religion.

“This should not happen. The Indian Constitution gives everyone the right to practise their religion. Everyone should follow the teachings of their faith. Madrasas are not against anyone. Here, people are taught the Quran and its values and how it should be protected. I will oppose this by uniting all Muslims,” he told IANS.

Kabir further said that a Chief Minister represents people from all communities and religions equally.

“He is the Chief Minister of all the people. The population of Bengal is over 11 crore, and he is the Chief Minister for everyone — Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains and all other communities alike. He must remember that he is the Chief Minister for all people,” he stressed.

Congress leader Husain Dalwai also reacted to the controversy, saying that while there should be no objection to singing Vande Mataram, care should be taken not to hurt religious sentiments.

“If people are talking about ‘Vande Mataram,’ then why don’t they also talk about ‘Jana Gana Mana’? The national anthem is ‘Jana Gana Mana.’ I think people can sing ‘Vande Mataram,’ but only the first two stanzas are necessary in a pluralistic society. If someone is asked to worship a goddess, they may object because India is a secular country,” he said.

He further added, “This country belongs to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology, not Savarkar’s.”

Congress MLA, Nizam Uddin Bhat, said that while there may be no objection from a nationalist perspective, imposing such directives on students was not appropriate.

“Every citizen has responsibilities towards the nation, but this is also a democratic country with constitutional protections and rights. Issuing directions from one department and forcing students to comply is not right. Such actions can create outrage and lead to unnecessary tensions. We will request the local administration to intervene,” he said.

Samajwadi Party MP, Virendra Singh, claimed that the issue was part of the BJP’s broader political agenda.

“Look, this is the main agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and they are working according to that agenda. Nothing more than this.”

Meanwhile, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi appealed against politicising the issue.

“No communal atmosphere should be created around Vande Mataram. Those trying to spread communal insecurity and tension over the issue are attempting to weaken the country’s harmony and social unity,” he said.

The latest directive comes just a week after the West Bengal government made the recital of Vande Mataram mandatory in all schools across the state.

According to an order issued by the Directorate of Madrasa Education, the national song must now be sung before the start of classes in all recognised, aided, and unaided madrasas functioning under the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department.

The move marks another major education-related decision by the government led by Suvendu Adhikari.

–IANS

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