New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Vice President Malik Mohtasim Khan on Thursday reacted strongly to reports that ‘Vande Mataram’ has been made compulsory in madrasas in West Bengal, saying that no government has the right to force citizens to sing any particular song.

Speaking to IANS, Khan stressed that patriotism and respect for the nation cannot be measured through compulsion.

“Look, even our national anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’, being made compulsory and people being forced to sing it was not appreciated by many. Loving the country and respecting the country are different things. No government can force its citizens about which song they should sing and which they should not. The Supreme Court has given a clear ruling on this,” he said.

The Jamaat Vice President added that individuals and institutions should have the freedom to decide whether they want to sing ‘Vande Mataram’.

“Whoever wishes to sing it may do so, and whoever does not want to sing it should not be forced. Madrasas also have every right to either follow this directive or not follow it if they do not wish to. If the government imposes it forcefully, then it goes against the directions given by the Supreme Court. This is an advisory, and turning it into a compulsory order would be wrong,” Khan stated.

Commenting on restrictions related to cow slaughter during Eid al-Adha, Khan said Muslims have multiple alternatives available for sacrifice and urged people in Bengal not to insist on cow sacrifice.

“As for sacrifice during the occasion of Eid al-Adha, there are many animals that are halal and can be sacrificed, such as buffaloes, goats, sheep, and rams. So, if the government imposes a ban on cows, Muslims still have several options available,” he said.

However, he argued that restrictions on cattle trade adversely affect the rural economy and livestock business.

“A major part of our rural economy depends on the trade of animals and livestock. So, this is something that harms the country’s economy. There are many large slaughterhouses in the country owned by non-Muslims, where cows are slaughtered, and the meat is exported abroad. So first of all, the BJP should impose restrictions on that,” he said.

Khan also appealed for communal harmony and restraint during the festival season.

“I would also like to appeal to my community members in Bengal that they should not insist on sacrificing cows, because we already have other halal options available to us,” he added.

–IANS

sn/vd