‘This order is against religious freedom’, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s reaction on Home Ministry’s circular

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind General Secretary Maulana Mohammad Hakimuddin Qasmi has termed the circular issued by the Union Home Ministry regarding Vande Mataram as worrying. It also said that this step is going to end the religious freedom guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India.

He said that in the Constitution of India, every citizen has been given the necessary right to follow his religion, propagate it and live his life according to his beliefs. Therefore, forcing someone to recite a particular poem or verse against his religious beliefs is against the Constitution.

He said that the text of ‘Vande Mataram’, especially in the fourth and fifth verses, mentions idol worship and some Hindu deities. Since the Islamic faith, in view of Tawheed (monotheism), a Muslim cannot worship or worship anyone other than Allah, nor can he express his worship of Him.

Ulema-e-Hind does not deserve this poem: Maulana Qasmi

However, Maulana Qasmi further said that Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind is not against this poem. If people of the majority religion want to recite it, they have the right to do so. We don’t come in their way, but making it mandatory for all citizens or mandating or forcing children to read it in schools would amount to curbing religious freedom. India is a pluralistic country with different religions where the supremacy of the Constitution and the principle of ‘unity in diversity’ is the basis of national unity. Any effort to weaken this foundation cannot be in the national interest.

Maulana Qasmi further said that the Muslims of India are unanimous that any decision against religious freedom will not be accepted under any circumstances. We demand the Government of India to immediately review this circular, keeping in mind the constitutional requirements, judicial precedents and the different social structure of the country, so that religious freedom, constitutional dignity and social harmony are maintained in the country. As far as patriotism is concerned, it is our religious requirement, we will always love the country and will continue to do so, but no such word is acceptable which comes in the category of worship, the right of which has been given to us by the Constitution of our country and on the basis of which this country is united like a glass wall.